Semiconductor device and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure that can change the orientation of the display is provided. A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which a degradation in transistor characteristics can be suppressed, is provided. A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which operation speed can be increased, is provided. A semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which a dielectric breakdown of a transistor can be suppressed, is provided. The semiconductor device or the like has a circuit configuration capable of switching between a first operation and a second operation by changing the potentials of wirings. By switching between these two operations, the scan direction is easily changed. The semiconductor device is configured to change the scan direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a semiconductordevice and an electronic device.

Note that one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to theabove technical field. The technical field of the invention disclosed inthis specification and the like relates to an object, a method, or amanufacturing method. In addition, one embodiment of the presentinvention relates to a process, a machine, manufacture, or a compositionof matter. Specific examples of the technical field of one embodiment ofthe present invention disclosed in this specification include asemiconductor device, a display device, a light-emitting device, a powerstorage device, an imaging device, a memory device, a method for drivingany of them, and a method for manufacturing any of them.

In this specification and the like, a semiconductor device refers to anelement, a circuit, a device, or the like that can function by utilizingsemiconductor characteristics. An example of the semiconductor device isa semiconductor element such as a transistor or a diode. Another exampleof the semiconductor device is a circuit including a semiconductorelement. Another example of the semiconductor device is a deviceprovided with a circuit including a semiconductor element.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a semiconductor device having a display function typified by atelevision receiver, the orientation of the display is fixed.

A shift register is mounted on a driver circuit for driving such asemiconductor device (see Patent Document 1).

REFERENCE Patent Document

-   [Patent Document 1] United States Patent Application Publication No.    2010/0201659

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recently, with the widespread of smartphones and the like, asemiconductor device that can change the orientation of the displaybetween portrait and landscape modes is demanded.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide anovel semiconductor device, a novel electronic device, and the like.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide asemiconductor device or the like with a novel structure that can changethe orientation of the display. Another object of one embodiment of thepresent invention is to provide a semiconductor device or the like witha novel structure, in which a degradation in transistor characteristicscan be suppressed. Another object of one embodiment of the presentinvention is to provide a semiconductor device or the like with a novelstructure, in which operation speed can be increased. Another object ofone embodiment of the present invention is to provide a semiconductordevice or the like with a novel structure, in which a dielectricbreakdown of a transistor can be suppressed.

Note that the objects of one embodiment the present invention are notlimited to the above objects. The objects described above do not disturbthe existence of other objects. The other objects are the ones that arenot described above and will be described below. The other objects willbe apparent from and can be derived from the description of thespecification, the drawings, and the like by those skilled in the art.One embodiment of the present invention solves at least one of theaforementioned objects and the other objects.

One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device whichincludes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, afourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a seventhtransistor, an eighth transistor, and a ninth transistor. In thesemiconductor device, one of a source and a drain of the firsttransistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain ofthe second transistor, and the other of the source and the drain of thefirst transistor is electrically connected to a first wiring. The one ofthe source and the drain of the second transistor is electricallyconnected to a second wiring, the other of the source and the drain ofthe second transistor is electrically connected to a third wiring, oneof a source and a drain of the third transistor is electricallyconnected to a gate of the first transistor, and the other of the sourceand the drain of the third transistor is electrically connected to thethird wiring. Furthermore, one of a source and a drain of the fourthtransistor is electrically connected to a gate of the second transistoror a gate of the third transistor, and the other of the source and thedrain of the fourth transistor is electrically connected to a fourthwiring. One of a source and a drain of the fifth transistor iselectrically connected to the one of the source and the drain of thefourth transistor, the other of the source and the drain of the fifthtransistor is electrically connected to the third wiring, and a gate ofthe fifth transistor is electrically connected to the gate of the firsttransistor. In addition, one of a source and a drain of the sixthtransistor is electrically connected to a gate of the fourth transistor,the other of the source and the drain of the sixth transistor iselectrically connected to a fifth wiring, and a gate of the sixthtransistor is electrically connected to a sixth wiring. One of a sourceand a drain of the seventh transistor is electrically connected to thegate of the fourth transistor, the other of the source and the drain ofthe seventh transistor is electrically connected to a seventh wiring,and a gate of the seventh transistor is electrically connected to aneighth wiring. Furthermore, one of a source and a drain of the eighthtransistor is electrically connected to the gate of the firsttransistor, the other of the source and the drain of the eighthtransistor is electrically connected to the fifth wiring, and a gate ofthe eighth transistor is electrically connected to a ninth wiring. Oneof a source and a drain of the ninth transistor is electricallyconnected to the gate of the first transistor, the other of the sourceand the drain of the ninth transistor is electrically connected to theseventh wiring, and a gate of the ninth transistor is electricallyconnected to a tenth wiring. Moreover, the fifth wiring has a functionof transmitting one of a first potential and a second potential in afirst operation and transmitting the other of the first potential andthe second potential in a second operation, and the seventh wiring has afunction of transmitting the other of the first potential and the secondpotential in the first operation and transmitting the one of the firstpotential and the second potential in the second operation.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that the first wiring have a function of transmitting afirst clock signal, the sixth wiring have a function of transmitting asecond clock signal, and the eighth wiring have a function oftransmitting a third clock signal.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that the second wiring have a function of transmittingan output signal, the tenth wiring have a function of transmitting asignal output from a previous stage circuit, and the ninth wiring have afunction of transmitting a signal output from a next stage circuit.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that the fourth wiring have a function of transmittingthe first potential and the third wiring have a function of transmittingthe second potential.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that a first capacitor be further included, oneelectrode of the first capacitor be electrically connected to the one ofthe source and the drain of the first transistor, and the otherelectrode of the first capacitor be electrically connected to the gateof the first transistor.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that a second capacitor be further included, oneelectrode of the second capacitor be electrically connected to the oneof the source and the drain of the fourth transistor, and the otherelectrode of the second capacitor be electrically connected to the gateof the fourth transistor.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that a W/L of the first transistor, where W is achannel width and L is a channel length, be higher than W/Ls of thesecond to ninth transistors,

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that a W/L of the sixth transistor, where W is achannel width and L is a channel length, be 0.8 times to 1.2 times a W/Lof the seventh transistor.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that a W/L of the eighth transistor, where W is achannel width and L is a channel length, be 0.8 times to 1.2 times a W/Lof the ninth transistor.

In the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention,it is preferable that the first to ninth transistors include an oxidesemiconductor in their channel formation regions.

One embodiment of the present invention is a display module includingthe above-described semiconductor device and an FPC.

One embodiment of the present invention is an electronic deviceincluding the above-described semiconductor device or theabove-described display module, and a speaker, an operation button,and/or an antenna.

Note that other embodiments of the present invention are described inthe following embodiments with reference to the drawings.

One embodiment of the present invention can provide a novelsemiconductor device, a novel electronic device, or the like.

With one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device orthe like with a novel structure that can change the orientation of thedisplay can be provided. With one embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, in which adegradation in transistor characteristics can be suppressed, can beprovided. With one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductordevice or the like with a novel structure, in which operation speed canbe increased, can be provided. With one embodiment of the presentinvention, a semiconductor device or the like with a novel structure, inwhich a dielectric breakdown of a transistor can be suppressed, can beprovided.

Note that the effects of one embodiment of the present invention are notlimited to the above effects. The effects described above do not disturbthe existence of other effects. The other effects are not describedabove and will be described below. The other effects will be apparentfrom and can be derived from the description of the specification, thedrawings, and the like by those skilled in the art. One embodiment ofthe present invention has at least one of the aforementioned effects andthe other effects. Accordingly, in some cases, one embodiment of thepresent invention does not have the aforementioned effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 23A to 23C are circuit diagrams illustrating one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 25A to 25D are cross-sectional views illustrating one embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are cross-sectional views illustrating one embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 27A to 27C are cross-sectional views illustrating one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 30A to 30C are projection views illustrating one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 32A to 32C illustrate electronic devices according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 33 is a layout diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to drawings.However, the embodiments can be implemented with various modes. It willbe readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modes anddetails can be changed in various ways without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention shouldnot be interpreted as being limited to the following description of theembodiments.

In this specification and the like, ordinal numbers such as first,second, and third are used in order to avoid confusion among components.Thus, the terms do not limit the number or order of components. Forexample, in the present specification and the like, a “first” componentin one embodiment can be referred to as a “second” component in otherembodiments or claims. Furthermore, in the present specification and thelike, a “first” component in one embodiment can be referred to withoutthe ordinal number in other embodiments or claims.

The same elements or elements having similar functions, elements formedusing the same material, elements formed at the same time, or the likein the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and thedescription thereof is not repeated in some cases.

Embodiment 1

A structure of a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a circuit 100. Thecircuit 100 has a function of controlling the potential of a wiring 152.The circuit 100 may be referred to as a logic circuit or a sequentialcircuit.

The circuit 100 can switch between a first operation and a secondoperation by changing the potentials of wirings 155 and 157 connected tothe circuit 100. A semiconductor device including the circuit 100 thatcan switch between these two operations can easily change the scandirection. A semiconductor device having a display function providedwith such a function of changing the scan direction can change theorientation of the display.

The circuit 100 includes transistors 101 to 109 and a capacitor 110. InFIG. 1, a gate of the transistor 101 is represented by a node ND1.Similarly, a gate of the transistor 104 is represented by a node ND2.Furthermore, a gate of the transistor 102 is represented by a node ND3.

The connections among the transistors 101 to 109 and the capacitor 110will be described.

One of a source and a drain of the transistor 101 is connected to awiring 151. The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 101is connected to the wiring 152.

One of a source and a drain of the transistor 102 is connected to awiring 153. The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 102is connected to the wiring 152

A gate of the transistor 103 is connected to the node ND3. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 103 is connected to the wiring 153.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 103 is connectedto the node ND1.

One of a source and a drain of the transistor 104 is connected to awiring 154. The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 104is connected to the node ND3.

A gate of the transistor 105 is connected to the node ND1. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 105 is connected to the wiring 153.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 105 is connectedto the node ND3.

A gate of the transistor 106 is connected to a wiring 156. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 106 is connected to the wiring 155.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 106 is connectedto the node ND2.

A gate of the transistor 107 is connected to a wiring 158. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 107 is connected to the wiring 157.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 107 is connectedto the node ND2.

A gate of the transistor 108 is connected to a wiring 159. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 108 is connected to the wiring 155.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 108 is connectedto the node ND1.

A gate of the transistor 109 is connected to a wiring 160. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 109 is connected to the wiring 157.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 109 is connectedto the node ND1.

A first electrode of the capacitor 110 is connected to the node ND1. Asecond electrode of the capacitor 110 is connected to the wiring 152.

Note that the transistors 101 to 109 preferably have the same polarity.That is, the transistors 101 to 109 are preferably all n-channeltransistors. Alternatively, the transistors 101 to 109 are preferablyall p-channel transistors. Thus, manufacturing steps can be simplified,which enables improvement in yield and/or a reduction in costs.

In the case where the transistors 101 to 109 are n-channel transistors,a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a channel formationregion (also referred to as an OS transistor) can be used as each of thetransistors 101 to 109. The OS transistor has higher mobility than atransistor including amorphous silicon in a channel formation region,and has an extremely low off-state current. Therefore, the transistors101 to 109 can be reduced in size, and potentials of the nodes ND1 toND3 can be easily kept.

Note that W (channel width)/L (channel length) of the transistor 101 ispreferably higher than W/L of the transistors 102 to 109. Thus, thecurrent supply capability of the transistor 101 can be increased, sothat the rise time and fall time of the signal to the wiring 152 can beshortened.

In the case where a transistor is formed of a plurality of transistors,the W/L of the transistor is the sum of W/Ls of the plurality oftransistors. For example, in the case where a transistor is formed of aplurality of transistors connected in parallel, W is the sum of Ws ofthe plurality of transistors and L is the average value of Ls of theplurality of transistors.

The W/L of the transistor 106 is preferably equal to or substantiallyequal to the W/L of the transistor 107. Furthermore, the W/L of thetransistor 108 is preferably equal to or substantially equal to the W/Lof the transistor 109. The phrase “one W/L of a transistor issubstantially equal to the W/L of the other transistor” means that theW/L of one transistor is 0.8 times to 1.2 times, preferably 0.9 times to1.1 times, the W/L of the other transistor. With this structure, thecircuit 100 can perform operation with the same or substantially thesame current supply capability even when switching between the firstoperation and the second operation is performed.

Signals and potentials of the wirings 151 to 160 and the nodes ND1 toND3 will be described.

The wiring 151 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. A function of transmitting a clock signal can begiven as a specific example of the function. The clock signaltransmitted through the wiring 151 may be referred to as a first clocksignal.

The wiring 152 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. A specific example of the function is a functionof transmitting an output signal. The output signal transmitted throughthe wiring 152 may be referred to as a scan signal, a selection signal,or a pulse signal.

The wiring 153 has a function of transmitting a low-level potential.When the low-level potential is denoted by VL, the wiring 153 has afunction of being set at the potential VL.

The wiring 154 has a function of transmitting a high-level potential.When the high-level potential is denoted by VH (>VL), the wiring 154 hasa function of being set at the potential VH.

The wiring 155 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. Specifically, for example, the wiring 155 has afunction of being set at the potential VH in the first operation and atthe potential VL in the second operation.

The wiring 156 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. A specific example of the function is a functionof transmitting a clock signal. The clock signal transmitted through thewiring 156 may be referred to as a second clock signal. The second clocksignal has a different phase from the first clock signal.

The wiring 157 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. Specifically, for example, the wiring 157 has afunction of being set at the potential VL in the first operation and atthe potential VH in the second operation.

The wiring 158 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. A specific example of the function is a functionof transmitting a clock signal. The clock signal transmitted through thewiring 158 may be referred to as a third clock signal. The third clocksignal has a different phase from the first clock signal and the secondclock signal.

The wiring 159 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. Specifically, for example, the wiring 159 has afunction of transmitting an output signal from the circuit 100 in theprevious stage in the first operation and transmitting an output signalfrom the circuit 100 in the next stage in the second operation. Notethat the output signal transmitted through the wiring 159 is, when sentfrom the outside, referred to as a start pulse, in some cases.

The wiring 160 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. Specifically, for example, the wiring 160 has afunction of transmitting an output signal from the circuit 100 in thenext stage in the first operation and transmitting an output signal fromthe circuit 100 in the previous stage in the second operation. Note thatthe output signal transmitted through the wiring 160 is, when sent fromthe outside, referred to as a start pulse, in some cases.

As already mentioned, the circuit 100 can switch between the firstoperation and the second operation by changing the potentials of thewirings 155 and 157 connected to the circuit 100. A semiconductor deviceincluding the circuits 100 can transmit an output signal to the circuit100 in the next stage that is positioned in a first scan direction inthe first operation and transmit an output signal to the circuit 100 inthe next stage that is positioned in a second scan direction in thesecond operation. This switching operation can be performed only bychanging the potentials of the wirings 155 and 157; thus, the scandirection can be easily changed. Consequently, the semiconductor devicehaving a display function can change the orientation of the display.

Embodiment 2

An operation of the semiconductor device of one embodiment of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.The operation shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 corresponds to the operation ofthe circuit 100 described in Embodiment 1. This embodiment is describedon the assumption that the transistors 101 to 109 are n-channeltransistors.

The semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention cantransmit an output signal to the circuit 100 in the next stage that ispositioned in the first scan direction in the first operation andtransmit an output signal to the circuit 100 in the next stage that ispositioned in the second scan direction in the second operation. FIG. 2is an example of a timing chart for the first operation, and FIG. 3 isan example of a timing chart for the second operation.

To describe the operation of the circuit 100, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 showpotentials of the wiring 155, the wiring 157, the wiring 158, the wiring151, the wiring 156, the wiring 159, the wiring 160, the node ND1, thenode ND2, the node ND3, and the wiring 152.

<First Operation>

First, the first operation is described with reference to FIG. 2. Thefirst operation is performed under the conditions where the wiring 155is set at the potential VH and the wiring 157 is set at the potentialVL. The first operation in periods T1 to T6 is described. The operationin those periods is described by following changes in the potentials ofthe nodes ND1 to ND3 and a change in the potential of the wiring 152through which the output signal is transmitted.

For simple description, the potentials of the signals transmitted by thewirings and the nodes are described using two kinds of potentials, i.e.,the high-level potential VH and the low-level potential VL. When the twokinds of potentials VH and VL are used as the potentials of signalstransmitted by the wirings and the nodes, the number of generatedpotentials can be reduced. Accordingly, the scale of the circuitgenerating the potentials can be reduced. Note that in this embodiment,even when wirings are described as having the same potential VH, thewirings may have not the equal potential but different potentials.Similarly, even when wirings are described as having the same potentialVL, the wiring may have not the equal potential but differentpotentials. The same can apply to the description of the secondoperation to be described later.

The operation in the period T1 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 becomes VH, the transistor 108 is turned on. Since thepotential of the wiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. Inaddition, the potential of the node ND3 becomes VL as described later;accordingly, the transistor 103 is turned off. Therefore, the potentialVH of the wiring 155 is transmitted to the node ND1 through thetransistor 108, and the potential of the node ND1 increases from VL.Then, when the potential of the node ND1 reaches a value (VH−Vth108)obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage of the transistor 108(Vth108) from the potential of the gate of the transistor 108 (VH), thetransistor 108 is turned off. Thus, the node ND1 is brought into afloating state, and the potential of the node ND1 is kept at(VH−Vth108).

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VL, the transistor 106 is turned off. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 becomes VH, the transistor 107 is turned on.Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 157 is transmitted to the nodeND2 through the transistor 107, and the potential of the node ND2becomes VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes VL, the transistor 104 is turned off. Since thepotential of the node ND1 is (VH−Vth108), the transistor 105 is turnedon. Therefore, the potential of the wiring 153 is transmitted to thenode ND3 through the transistor 105, and the potential of the node ND3becomes VL.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is (VH−Vth108), the transistor 101 is turned on. Since thepotential of the node ND3 becomes VL, the transistor 102 is turned off.Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 151 is transmitted to thewiring 152 through the transistor 101, and the potential of the wiring152 is VL. In other words, the output signal of the circuit 100 remainsVL.

The operation in the period T2 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 becomes VL, the transistor 108 is turned off. Since thepotential of the wiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. Inaddition, the potential of the node ND3 is VL as described later;accordingly, the transistor 103 remains off. As a result, the node ND1is brought into a floating state, and the potential of the node ND1 iskept at (VH−Vth108).

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 is VL, the transistor 106 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 158 becomes VL, the transistor 107 is turned off. Accordingly,the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and the potential of thenode ND2 is kept at VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 is VL, the transistor 104 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is (VH−Vth108), the transistor 105 is on. Therefore, thepotential VL of the wiring 153 is transmitted to the node ND3 throughthe transistor 105, and the potential of the node ND3 remains VL.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is (VH−Vth108), the transistor 101 is on. Since the potentialof the node ND3 is VL, the transistor 102 is off. Therefore, thepotential VH of the wiring 151 is transmitted to the wiring 152 throughthe transistor 101, and the potential of the wiring 152 startsincreasing from VL. At this time, the capacitor 110 holds a differencein potential between the wiring 152 and the node ND1, and the node ND1is in a floating state. Therefore, the potential of the node ND1increases from (VH−Vth108) in accordance with the increase in thepotential of the wiring 152. When the potential of the node ND1 becomeshigher than the sum (VH+Vth101) of the potential of one of the sourceand the drain of the transistor 101 (VH: the potential of the wiring151) and the threshold voltage of the transistor 101 (Vth101), thepotential of the wiring 152 increases to VH. In other words, the outputsignal of the circuit 100 becomes VH.

The operation in the period T3 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 becomes VH, the transistor 109 is turned on. In addition, thepotential of the node ND3 becomes VH as described later; accordingly,the transistor 103 is turned on. Therefore, the potential VL of thewiring 157 is transmitted to the node ND1 through the transistor 109,and in addition, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmitted tothe node ND1 through the transistor 103; as a result, the potential ofthe node ND1 becomes VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VH, the transistor 106 is turned on. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 is VL, the transistor 107 is off. Therefore,the potential VH of the wiring 155 is transmitted to the node ND2through the transistor 106, and the potential of the node ND2 increasesfrom VL. Then, when the potential of the node ND2 reaches a value(VH−Vth106) obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage of thetransistor 106 (Vth106) from the potential of the gate of the transistor106 (VH: the potential of the wiring 156), the transistor 106 is turnedoff. Thus, the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and thepotential of the node ND2 is kept at (VH−Vth106).

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes (VH−Vth106), the transistor 104 is turned on. Since thepotential of the node ND1 becomes VL, the transistor 105 is turned off.Therefore, the potential of the wiring 154 is transmitted to the nodeND3 through the transistor 104, and the potential of the node ND3increases. At this time, a difference in potential between the node ND3and the node ND2 is held by a parasitic capacitance between the gate ofthe transistor 104 and the other of the source and the drain thereof,and the node ND2 is in a floating state. Accordingly, the potential ofthe node ND2 increases in accordance with the increase in the potentialof the node ND3. When the potential of the node ND2 becomes higher thanthe sum (VH+Vth104) of the potential of one of the source and the drainof the transistor 104 (VH: the potential of the wiring 154) and thethreshold voltage of the transistor 104 (Vth104), the potential of thenode ND3 increases to VH.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 becomes VL, the transistor 101 is turned off. Since thepotential of the node ND3 becomes VH, the transistor 102 is turned on.Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmitted to thewiring 152 through the transistor 102, and the potential of the wiring152 becomes VL. In other words, the output signal of the circuit 100 isVL.

The operation in the period T4 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 becomes VL, the transistor 109 is turned off. In addition,the potential of the node ND3 becomes VH as described later;accordingly, the transistor 103 is turned on. Therefore, the potentialVL of the wiring 153 is transmitted to the node ND1 through thetransistor 103; as a result, the potential of the node ND1 remains VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VL, the transistor 106 is turned off. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 becomes VH, the transistor 107 is turned on.Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 157 is transmitted to the nodeND2 through the transistor 107, and the potential of the node ND2becomes VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes VL, the transistor 104 is turned off. Since thepotential of the node ND1 is VL, the transistor 105 is off. Therefore,the node ND3 is brought into a floating state, and the potential of thenode ND3 is kept at VH. Note that the potential of the node ND3 is oftenlower than VH owing to the decrease in the potential of the node ND2.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 101 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND3 is VH, the transistor 102 is on. Therefore, the potential VL ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring 152 through the transistor102, and the potential of the wiring 152 becomes VL. In other words, theoutput signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The operation in the period T5 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. In addition, the potentialof the node ND3 is VH as described later; accordingly, the transistor103 is on. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmittedto the node ND1 through the transistor 103; as a result, the potentialof the node ND1 remains VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 is VL, the transistor 106 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 158 becomes VL, the transistor 107 is turned off. Accordingly,the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and the potential of thenode ND2 is kept at VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 is VL, the transistor 104 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 105 is off. Therefore, the node ND3 isbrought into a floating state, and the potential of the node ND3 is keptat VH.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 101 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND3 is VH, the transistor 102 is on. Therefore, the potential VL ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring 152 through the transistor102, and the potential of the wiring 152 is VL. In other words, theoutput signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The operation in the period T6 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. In addition, the potentialof the node ND3 is VH as described later; accordingly, the transistor103 is on. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmittedto the node ND1 through the transistor 103; as a result, the potentialof the node ND1 remains VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VH, the transistor 106 is turned on. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 is VL, the transistor 107 is off. Therefore,the potential VH of the wiring 155 is transmitted to the node ND2through the transistor 106, and the potential of the node ND2 increasesfrom VL. Then, when the potential of the node ND2 reaches a value(VH−Vth106) obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage of thetransistor 106 from the potential of the gate of the transistor 106 (VH:the potential of the wiring 156), the transistor 106 is turned off.Thus, the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and the potentialof the node ND2 is kept at (VH−Vth106).

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes (VH−Vth106), the transistor 104 is turned on. Since thepotential of the node ND1 is VL, the transistor 105 is off. Therefore,the potential VH of the wiring 154 is transmitted to the node ND3through the transistor 104, and the potential of the node ND3 increases.At this time, a difference in potential between the node ND3 and thenode ND2 is held by a parasitic capacitance between the gate of thetransistor 104 and the other of the source and the drain thereof, andthe node ND2 is in a floating state. Accordingly, the potential of thenode ND2 increases in accordance with the increase in the potential ofthe node ND3. When the potential of the node ND2 becomes higher than thesum (VH+Vth104) of the potential of one of the source and the drain ofthe transistor 104 (VH: the potential of the wiring 154) and thethreshold voltage of the transistor 104 (Vth104), the potential of thenode ND3 increases to VH.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 101 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND3 is VH, the transistor 102 is on. Therefore, the potential ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring 152 through the transistor102, and the potential of the wiring 152 is VL. In other words, theoutput signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The first operation has been described so far. In a semiconductor deviceincluding a plurality of circuits 100, an output signal can betransmitted in the first scan direction. For example, in a semiconductordevice where the circuits 100 are provided in the (n−1)-th stage, then-th stage, and the (n+1)-th stage (n is a natural number of 2 or more),an output signal can be output from the circuits 100 in the first scandirection, i.e., from the (n−1)-th circuit 100, the n-th circuit 100,and the (n+1)-th circuit 100 in this order.

Specifically, the n-th circuit 100 can output the output signal in thefirst scan direction by setting the potential of the wiring 155 at VH,the potential of the wiring 157 at VL, the signal transmitted to thewiring 159 to be the output signal from the (n−1)-th stage circuit 100,and the signal transmitted to the wiring 160 to be the output signalfrom the (n+1)-th stage circuit 100.

<Second Operation>

Next, the second operation is described with reference to FIG. 3. Thesecond operation is performed under the conditions where the wiring 155is set at the potential VL and the wiring 157 is set at the potentialVH. The second operation in periods t1 to t6 is described. The operationin those periods is described by following changes in the potentials ofthe nodes ND1 to ND3 and a change in the potential of the wiring 152through which the output signal is transmitted.

The operation in the period t1 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 becomes VH, the transistor 109 is turned on. In addition, thepotential of the node ND3 becomes VL as described later; accordingly,the transistor 103 is turned off. Therefore, the potential VH of thewiring 157 is transmitted to the node ND1 through the transistor 109,and the potential of the node ND1 increases from VL. Then, when thepotential of the node ND1 reaches a value (VH−Vth109) obtained bysubtracting the threshold voltage of the transistor 109 (Vth109) fromthe potential of the gate of the transistor 109 (VH; the potential ofthe wiring 160), the transistor 109 is turned off. Thus, the node ND1 isbrought into a floating state, and the potential of the node ND1 is keptat (VH−Vth109).

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VH, the transistor 106 is turned on. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 becomes VL, the transistor 107 is turnedoff. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 155 is transmitted to thenode ND2 through the transistor 106, and the potential of the node ND2becomes VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes VL, the transistor 104 is turned off. Since thepotential of the node ND1 is (VH−Vth109), the transistor 105 is turnedon. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmitted to thenode ND3 through the transistor 105, and the potential of the node ND3becomes VL.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is (VH−Vth109), the transistor 101 is on. Since the potentialof the node ND3 becomes VL, the transistor 102 is turned off. Therefore,the potential VL of the wiring 151 is transmitted to the wiring 152through the transistor 101, and the potential of the wiring 152 is VL.In other words, the output signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The operation in the period t2 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 becomes VL, the transistor 109 is turned off. In addition,the potential of the node ND3 remains VL as described later;accordingly, the transistor 103 is off. As a result, the node ND1 isbrought into a floating state, and the potential of the node ND1 is keptat (VH−Vth109).

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VL, the transistor 106 is turned off. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 is VL, the transistor 107 is off.Accordingly, the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and thepotential of the node ND2 is kept at VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 is VL, the transistor 104 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND1 becomes (VH−Vth109), the transistor 105 is on. Therefore, thepotential VL of the wiring 153 is transmitted to the node ND3 throughthe transistor 105, and the potential of the node ND3 is VL.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 becomes (VH−Vth109), the transistor 101 is on. Since thepotential of the node ND3 is VL, the transistor 102 is off. Therefore,the potential VH of the wiring 151 is transmitted to the wiring 152through the transistor 101, and the potential of the wiring 152 startsincreasing from VL. At this time, the capacitor 110 holds a differencein potential between the wiring 152 and the node ND1, and the node ND1is in a floating state. Therefore, the potential of the node ND1increases from (VH−Vth109) in accordance with the increase in thepotential of the wiring 152. When the potential of the node ND1 becomeshigher than the sum (VH+Vth101) of the potential of one of the sourceand the drain of the transistor 101 (VH: the potential of the wiring151) and the threshold voltage of the transistor 101 (Vth101), thepotential of the wiring 152 increases to VH. In other words, the outputsignal of the circuit 100 becomes VH.

The operation in the period t3 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 becomes VH, the transistor 108 is turned on. Since thepotential of the wiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. Inaddition, the potential of the node ND3 becomes VH as described later;accordingly, the transistor 103 is turned on. Therefore, the potentialVL of the wiring 155 is transmitted to the node ND1 through thetransistor 108, and in addition, the potential VL of the wiring 153 istransmitted to the node ND1 through the transistor 103; as a result, thepotential of the node ND1 becomes VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 is VL, the transistor 106 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 158 becomes VH, the transistor 107 is turned on. Therefore, thepotential VH of the wiring 157 is transmitted to the node ND2 throughthe transistor 107, and the potential of the node ND2 increases from VL.Then, when the potential of the node ND2 reaches a value (VH−Vth107)obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage of the transistor 107(Vth107) from the potential of the gate of the transistor 107 (VH: thepotential of the wiring 158), the transistor 107 is turned off. Thus,the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and the potential of thenode ND2 is kept at (VH−Vth107).

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes (VH−Vth107), the transistor 104 is turned on. Since thepotential of the node ND1 becomes VL, the transistor 105 is turned off.Therefore, the potential VH of the wiring 154 is transmitted to the nodeND3 through the transistor 104, and the potential of the node ND3increases. At this time, a difference in potential between the node ND3and the node ND2 is held by a parasitic capacitance between the gate ofthe transistor 104 and the other of the source and the drain thereof,and the node ND2 is in a floating state. Accordingly, the potential ofthe node ND2 increases in accordance with the increase in the potentialof the node ND3. When the potential of the node ND2 becomes higher thanthe sum (VH+Vth104) of the potential of one of the source and the drainof the transistor 104 (VH: the potential of the wiring 154) and thethreshold voltage of the transistor 104 (Vth104), the potential of thenode ND3 increases to VH.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 becomes VL, the transistor 101 is turned off. Since thepotential of the node ND3 becomes VH, the transistor 102 is turned on.Therefore, the potential of the wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring152 through the transistor 102, and the potential of the wiring 152becomes VL. In other words, the output signal of the circuit 100 becomesVL.

The operation in the period t4 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 becomes VL, the transistor 108 is turned off. Since thepotential of the wiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. Inaddition, the potential of the node ND3 is VH as described later;accordingly, the transistor 103 is on. Therefore, the potential VL ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the node ND1 through the transistor103; as a result, the potential of the node ND1 remains VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VH, the transistor 106 is turned on. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 becomes VL, the transistor 107 is turnedoff. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 155 is transmitted to thenode ND2 through the transistor 106, and the potential of the node ND2becomes VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes VL, the transistor 104 is turned off. Since thepotential of the node ND1 is VL, the transistor 105 is off. Therefore,the node ND3 is brought into a floating state, and the potential of thenode ND3 is kept at VH. Note that the potential of the node ND3 is oftenlower than VH owing to the decrease in the potential of the node ND2.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 101 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND3 is VH, the transistor 102 is on. Therefore, the potential VL ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring 152 through the transistor102, and the potential of the wiring 152 becomes VL. In other words, theoutput signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The operation in the period t5 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. In addition, the potentialof the node ND3 is VH as described later; accordingly, the transistor103 is on. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmittedto the node ND1 through the transistor 103; as a result, the potentialof the node ND1 remains VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 becomes VL, the transistor 106 is turned off. Since thepotential of the wiring 158 is VL, the transistor 107 is off.Accordingly, the node ND2 is brought into a floating state, and thepotential of the node ND2 is kept at VL.

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 is VL, the transistor 104 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 105 is off. Therefore, the node ND3 isbrought into a floating state, and the potential of the node ND3 is keptat VH.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 101 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND3 is VH, the transistor 102 is on. Therefore, the potential ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring 152 through the transistor102, and the potential of the wiring 152 is VL. In other words, theoutput signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The operation in the period t6 is described.

The potential of the node ND1 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 159 is VL, the transistor 108 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 160 is VL, the transistor 109 is off. In addition, the potentialof the node ND3 is VH as described later; accordingly, the transistor103 is on. Therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmittedto the node ND1 through the transistor 103; as a result, the potentialof the node ND1 remains VL.

The potential of the node ND2 is described. Since the potential of thewiring 156 is VL, the transistor 106 is off. Since the potential of thewiring 158 becomes VH, the transistor 107 is turned on. Therefore, thepotential VH of the wiring 157 is transmitted to the node ND2 throughthe transistor 107, and the potential of the node ND2 increases from VL.Then, when the potential of the node ND2 reaches a value (VH−Vth107)obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage of the transistor 107 fromthe potential of the gate of the transistor 107 (VH: the potential ofthe wiring 158), the transistor 107 is turned off. Thus, the node ND2 isbrought into a floating state, and the potential of the node ND2 is keptat (VH−Vth107).

The potential of the node ND3 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND2 becomes (VH−Vth107), the transistor 104 is turned on. Since thepotential of the node ND1 is VL, the transistor 105 is off. Therefore,the potential VH of the wiring 154 is transmitted to the node ND3through the transistor 104, and the potential of the node ND3 increases.At this time, a difference in potential between the node ND3 and thenode ND2 is held by a parasitic capacitance between the gate of thetransistor 104 and the other of the source and the drain thereof, andthe node ND2 is in a floating state. Accordingly, the potential of thenode ND2 increases in accordance with the increase in the potential ofthe node ND3. When the potential of the node ND2 becomes higher than thesum (VH+Vth104) of the potential of one of the source and the drain ofthe transistor 104 (VH: the potential of the wiring 154) and thethreshold voltage of the transistor 104 (Vth104), the potential of thenode ND3 increases to VH.

The potential of the wiring 152 is described. Since the potential of thenode ND1 is VL, the transistor 101 is off. Since the potential of thenode ND3 is VH, the transistor 102 is on. Therefore, the potential VL ofthe wiring 153 is transmitted to the wiring 152 through the transistor102, and the potential of the wiring 152 is VL. In other words, theoutput signal of the circuit 100 is VL.

The second operation has been described so far. In a semiconductordevice including a plurality of circuits 100, an output signal can betransmitted in the second scan direction. For example, in asemiconductor device where the circuits 100 are provided in the (n−1)-thstage, the n-th stage, and the (n+1)-th stage (n is a natural number of2 or more), an output signal can be output from the circuits 100 in thesecond scan direction that is opposite to the first scan direction,i.e., from the (n+1)-th circuit 100, the n-th circuit 100, and the(n−1)-th circuit 100 in this order.

Specifically, the n-th circuit 100 can output the output signal in thesecond scan direction by setting the potential of the wiring 157 at VH,the potential of the wiring 155 at VL, the signal transmitted to thewiring 159 to be the output signal from the (n−1)-th circuit 100, andthe signal transmitted to the wiring 160 to be the output signal fromthe (n+1)-th circuit 100.

<Summary>

The operation of the circuit 100 described above enables thesemiconductor device including the circuit 100 to switch the scandirection by changing the potentials of the wirings 155 and 157. Asemiconductor device having a display function provided with such afunction of changing the scan direction can change the orientation ofthe display.

In the operation of the circuit 100, the potential of the wiring 152 canbe increased by bringing the node ND1 into a floating state. Therefore,even when the potential of the node ND1 is lower than VH, the potentialof the wiring 152 can be boosted to VH and output. Accordingly, amalfunction of a circuit that operates with the output signaltransmitted from the wiring 152 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, in the operation of the circuit 100, the potential of thenode ND3 can be increased by bringing the node ND2 into a floatingstate. Therefore, even when the potential of the node ND2 is lower thanVH, the potential of the node ND3 can be boosted to VH and output.Accordingly, malfunctions of the transistors 102 and 103, which areturned on or off depending on the potential of the node ND3, can besuppressed.

Embodiment 3

In this embodiment, variations of Embodiments 1 and 2 will be described.

Although an example of the circuit and an example of the operation areshown in Embodiments 1 and 2 with the use of the circuit configurationincluding the transistors 101 to 109 and the capacitor 110, oneembodiment of the present invention is not limited to those examples. Acircuit configuration with a different transistor and/or a differentcapacitor may be employed as well. Moreover, one embodiment of thepresent invention can have a variety of circuit configurations byemploying an additional wiring or eliminating the existing wiring. Suchvariations will be described below.

Portions similar to those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are notdescribed in this embodiment.

<Variation 1>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 4 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the circuit 100includes a transistor 111.

A gate of the transistor 111 is connected to the wiring 154. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 111 is connected to the gate of thetransistor 101 and the first electrode of the capacitor 110. The otherof the source and the drain of the transistor 111 is connected to theother of the source and the drain of the transistor 103, the gate of thetransistor 105, the other of the source and the drain of the transistor108, and the other of the source and the drain of the transistor 109.

In the semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 4, the transistor 111 isoff in the period T2 and the period t2; therefore, the potential of theother of the source and the drain of the transistor 111 (the other ofthe source and the drain of the transistor 108) does not increase inaccordance with the increase in the potential of the wiring 152. Thus,the application of a large voltage to the transistors 103, 105, 108, and109 which are connected to the other of the source and the drain of thetransistor 111 can be prevented, which leads to the prevention of thosetransistors' breakdown and change in characteristics.

Alternatively, the semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 4 may havethe configuration illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the gate of thetransistor 111 is connected to a wiring 154A that is different from thewiring 154. In FIG. 5, the potential transmitted through the wiring 154Ais set lower than the potential VH transmitted through the wiring 154.In this manner, the transistor 111 can be turned off at a point of timewhen the potential of one of the source and the drain of the transistor111 is lower than (VH−Vth108) or (VH−Vth109) in the period T1 and theperiod t1. Accordingly, the gate of the transistor 101 can be broughtinto a floating state at an earlier timing, which leads to animprovement in operation speed.

<Variation 2>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 6 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the circuit 100includes a transistor 112.

A gate of the transistor 112 is connected to the wiring 151. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 112 is connected to the wiring 153.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 112 is connectedto the node ND3.

In the period T1, the period T3, the period T4, the period T6, theperiod t1, the period t3, the period t4, and the period t6, thetransistor 112 is off because the potential of the wiring 151 is VL. Inthe period T2, the period T5, the period t2, and the period t5, thetransistor 112 is on because the potential of the wiring 151 is VH;therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmitted to the nodeND3 through the transistor 112, and the potential of the node ND3becomes VL. As a result, the transistors 102 and 103 are turned off.Since the transistors 102 and 103 can be off in the period T5 and theperiod t5, degradation in characteristics of the transistors 102 and 103can be suppressed.

<Variation 3>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 7 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the circuit 100includes a transistor 113.

A gate of the transistor 113 is connected to the wiring 151. One of asource and a drain of the transistor 113 is connected to the wiring 153.The other of the source and the drain of the transistor 113 is connectedto the node ND2.

In the period T1, the period T3, the period T4, the period T6, theperiod t1, the period t3, the period t4, and the period t6, thetransistor 113 is off because the potential of the wiring 151 is VL. Inthe period T2, the period T5, the period t2, and the period t5, thetransistor 113 is turned on because the potential of the wiring 151becomes VH; therefore, the potential VL of the wiring 153 is transmittedto the node ND2 through the transistor 113, and the potential of thenode ND2 is VL. The transistor 104 is off. Since the transistor 104 canbe off in the period T5 and the period t5, degradation incharacteristics of the transistor 104 can be suppressed.

<Variation 4>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 8 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the circuit 100includes a capacitor 114.

A first electrode of the capacitor 114 is connected to the node ND2. Asecond electrode of the capacitor 114 is connected to the node ND3.

In the period T3 and the period t3, the node ND2 is brought into afloating state; accordingly, the potential of the node ND3 is increasedwith a difference in potential between the node ND3 and the node ND2held and thus the potential of the node ND2 is increased. At this time,if a parasitic capacitance between the gate of the transistor 104 andthe other of the source and the drain thereof is small, the potential ofthe node ND2 is hard to increase. With the capacitor 114 between thegate of the transistor 104 and the other of the source and the drainthereof, the potential of the node ND2 can be easily increased. Thus,the potential of the node ND3 can be more surely set at VH to turn onthe transistor 102, so that the error of the output signal from thecircuit 100 can be reduced.

<Variation 5>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 9 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the gate of thetransistor 102 is connected to a wiring 161. Similarly, a semiconductordevice illustrated in FIG. 10 is different from the semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 in that the gate of the transistor 103 isconnected to the wiring 161.

The wiring 161 has a function of transmitting a signal having a highlevel and a low level. Specifically, for example, the wiring 161 has afunction of transmitting a signal for making the transistor 102 or 103in an on state in a period other than the period when the potential ofthe wiring 152 is VH in the first operation and the second operation.For example, a signal having VH may be transmitted to the wiring 161 atan arbitrary timing in the periods T4 to T6 and the periods t4 to t6.This signal is preferably a clock signal having a phase different fromthose of the first to third clock signals. The clock signal transmittedthrough the wiring 161 may be referred to as a fourth clock signal. Withthe configurations illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the potential ofthe wiring 152 can be more surely set at VL, so that the error of theoutput signal from the circuit 100 can be reduced.

Alternatively, in the semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 9, thegate of the transistor 102 may be connected to the wiring 156 or thewiring 158.

<Variation 6>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 11 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that switches 105A to 109Aare used instead of the transistors 105 to 109. A semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 12 is different from the semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 in that a switch 102A is used instead of thetransistor 102. Similarly, a semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 13is different from the semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in thata switch 103A is used instead of the transistor 103.

The switches 102A, 103A, and 105A to 109A may be electrical switches ormechanical switches without being limited to transistors; thus, thedegree of design flexibility can be increased.

<Variation 7>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 14 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in not including thecapacitor 110.

The capacitor 110 can be omitted in the semiconductor device illustratedin FIG. 14 by designing a large parasitic capacitance between the gateof the transistor 101 and the other of the source and the drain thereof.The omission of the capacitor can increase the degree of designflexibility and reduce the area occupied by the circuit 100.

<Variation 8>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 15 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the transistors 101to 109 are p-channel transistors.

In the semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 15, the transistors inthe circuit 100 can be formed using a semiconductor material that canform only p-channel transistors.

<Variation 9>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 16 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in including the transistors111, 112, and 113 by combining Variations 1 to 3 described above.

By combining Variations 1 to 3, the semiconductor device illustrated inFIG. 16 can include the circuit 100 having the above-describedadvantages of those variations.

<Variation 10>

A semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 17 is different from thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 1 in that the transistors 101to 109 include back gates connected to a wiring 162. A semiconductordevice illustrated in FIG. 18 is different from the semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 in that the transistors 101, 104, 106, and 108include back gates connected to the wiring 162. A semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 19 is different from the semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 in that the transistors 101 to 109 include backgates, the back gates of the transistors 101, 104, 106, and 108 areconnected to the wiring 162, and the back gates of the transistors 102,103, 105, 107, and 109 are connected to a wiring 163. A semiconductordevice illustrated in FIG. 20 is different from the semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 in that the transistors 101 and 102 include backgates connected to their respective gates and the transistors 103 to 109include back gates connected to the wiring 162.

The wiring 162 has a function of transmitting a high-level or low-levelpotential. Specifically, for example, the wiring 162 has a function oftransmitting a potential with which the threshold voltages of thetransistors can be controlled in the first operation and the secondoperation. The wiring 163 has a function of transmitting a high-level orlow-level potential. Specifically, for example, the wiring 163 has afunction of transmitting a potential which is different from thepotential of the wiring 162 and with which the threshold voltages of thetransistors can be controlled in the first operation and the secondoperation. For example, the potential with which the threshold voltagesof the transistors can be controlled is preferably a potential that islower than or equal to VH or a potential that is higher than or equal toVL.

The semiconductor devices illustrated in FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19can reduce a flow-through current between the wiring set at VH and thewiring set at VL. Consequently, power consumption can be reduced. Thesemiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 20 can increase the currentsupply capability of the transistors 101 and 102 because the potentialssupplied to the back gates of the transistors 101 and 102 are the sameas those supplied to the gates of the transistors 101 and 102.Consequently, the rise time and fall time of the signal transmitted tothe wiring 152 can be shortened.

<Summary>

As described above, one embodiment of the present invention is notlimited to the example of the circuit and the example of the operationdescribed in Embodiments 1 and 2. One embodiment of the presentinvention can have a variety of circuit configurations by employing adifferent transistor and/or a different capacitor, employing anadditional wiring, or eliminating the existing transistor, capacitor, orwiring.

Embodiment 4

In this embodiment, an example of a shift register that includes thecircuits 100 described in Embodiments 1 to 3 will be described.

A shift register 200 illustrated in FIG. 21 includes circuits 201[i] to201[i+2] (i is a natural number of 3 or more) each of which correspondsto the circuit 100 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The circuits 201[i]to 201[i+2] each include the transistors 101 to 109 and the capacitor110.

In FIG. 21, output signals from the circuits 201[i] to 201[i+2] arerepresented by OUT[i] to OUT[i+2]. Wirings through which OUT[i] toOUT[i+2] are transmitted are represented by wirings 218[i] to 218[i+2].The wirings 218[i] to 218[i+2] correspond to the wiring 152 described inEmbodiments 1 to 3. A wiring through which an output signal OUT[i−1]from a circuit 201[i−1] (not shown) in the stage previous to the circuit201[i] is transmitted is represented by a wiring 218[i−1]. Similarly, awiring through which an output signal OUT[i+3] from a circuit 201[i+3](not shown) in the stage next to the circuit 201[i+2] is transmitted isrepresented by a wiring 218[i+3].

In FIG. 21, wirings 211 to 217 are shown as examples of the wiringsthrough which signals and potentials are transmitted to the circuit201[i].

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 211 corresponds to thewiring 158 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 211 has afunction of transmitting a signal CK1, for example. The signal CK1corresponds to any one of the first to third clock signals.

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 212 corresponds to thewiring 151 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 212 has afunction of transmitting a signal CK2, for example. The signal CK2corresponds to any one of the first to third clock signals which isdifferent from the signal CK1.

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 213 corresponds to thewiring 156 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 213 has afunction of transmitting a signal CK3, for example. The signal CK3corresponds to any one of the first to third clock signals which isdifferent from the signals CK1 and CK2.

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 214 corresponds to thewiring 154 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 214 has afunction of being set at VDD, for example. Note that VDD corresponds toVH.

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 215 corresponds to thewiring 153 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 215 has afunction of being set at VSS, for example. Note that VSS corresponds toVL.

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 216 corresponds to thewiring 155 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 216 has afunction of transmitting a signal SEL1, for example. The signal SEL1 isa signal that is at the high level, e.g., VDD, in a first period and atthe low level, e.g., VSS, in a second period.

For example in the circuit 201[i], the wiring 217 corresponds to thewiring 157 described in Embodiments 1 to 3. The wiring 217 has afunction of transmitting a signal SEL2, for example. The signal SEL2 isa signal that is at the low level, e.g., VSS, in the first period and atthe high level, e.g., VDD, in the second period.

The shift register 200 has a function of, for example, transmitting theoutput signal OUT[i], which is shifted from the output signal OUT[i−1]from the circuit 201[i−1] (not shown), to the wiring 218[i] from thecircuit 201[i] in the first operation. Similarly, the shift register 200has a function of, for example, transmitting the output signal OUT[i+1],which is shifted from the output signal OUT[i] from the circuit 201[i],to the wiring 218[i+1] from the circuit 201[i+1]. FIG. 22 shows signalwaveforms in the first operation. Embodiment 2 can be referred to forthe operation in the first operation of each transistor in the circuits201[i−1] to 201[i+3].

Furthermore, the shift register 200 has a function of, for example,transmitting the output signal OUT[i+1], which is shifted from theoutput signal OUT[i+2] from the circuit 201[i+2], to the wiring 218[i+1]from the circuit 201[i+1] in the second operation. Similarly, the shiftregister 200 has a function of, for example, transmitting the outputsignal OUT[i], which is shifted from the output signal OUT[i+1] from thecircuit 201[i+1], to the wiring 218[i] from the circuit 201[i]. FIG. 22shows signal waveforms in the second operation. Embodiment 2 can bereferred to for the operation in the second operation of each transistorin the circuits 201[i−1] to 201[i+3].

As shown in FIG. 22, the shift register 200 can shift the pulse in afirst direction from the wiring 218[i] to the wiring 218[i+1] in thefirst operation. Similarly, the shift register 200 can shift the pulsein a second direction from the wiring 218[i+1] to the wiring 218[i] inthe second operation. In this manner, the shift register 200 canfunction as a shift register capable of outputting a pulse particularlyin both directions. The shift register 200 can change the pulse shiftdirection by switching the levels of the signal SEL1 and the signal SEL2between the high and low levels. Note that the function of the shiftregister 200 is not limited to this.

FIG. 33 is an example of a layout diagram illustrating the circuit201[i] illustrated in FIG. 21. FIG. 33 illustrates a layout example of afirst wiring 401 provided in the same layer as the gate electrode, asecond wiring 402 provided in the same layer as the source electrode andthe drain electrode, a semiconductor layer 403, and an opening 404 forconnecting the first wiring 401 to the second wiring 402.

In the region occupied by the transistor, the semiconductor layer 403overlaps with the first wiring 401 and both end portions of thesemiconductor layer overlap with the second wiring 402. Furthermore, aregion where the first wiring 401 and the second wiring 402 overlap eachother is the region occupied by the capacitor. FIG. 33 illustrates thelayout of the transistors 101 to 109 and the capacitor 110 illustratedin FIG. 21. FIG. 33 also illustrates the layout of the wirings 211 to217 and the wirings 218[i−1] to 218[i+1].

In the example of the layout illustrated in FIG. 33, the semiconductorlayer 403, the first wiring 401, and the second wiring 402 are stackedin this order from the bottom. However, without limitation to thisexample, the first wiring 401 or the second wiring 402 may be positionedin the lowest layer. The semiconductor layer 403 may be provided to havea larger width than the first wiring 401 and the second wiring 402, ormay be provided to have a smaller width than the first wiring 401 andthe second wiring 402.

Embodiment 5

In this embodiment, a display device in which the semiconductor deviceof one embodiment of the present invention can be used is described.

A display device illustrated in FIG. 23A includes a circuit 300 and apixel portion 130. In the pixel portion 130, N (N is a natural number of3 or more) wirings GL (GL[1] to GL[N]) and M (M is a natural number)wirings SL (also referred to as wirings SL[1] to SL[M]) are provided.Pixels 131 are provided for the N wirings GL and M wirings SL. Thecircuit 300 has a function of a gate driver (also referred to as a gateline driver circuit, a gate signal line driver circuit, or a scan linedriver circuit). The N wirings GL have a function of gate lines (alsoreferred to as gate signal lines or scan lines). The M wirings SL have afunction of transmitting video signals. That is, the M wirings SL have afunction of source lines (also referred to as source signal lines orsignal lines). The M wirings SL are connected to a circuit having afunction of a source driver (also referred to as a source line drivercircuit, a source signal line driver circuit, or a signal line drivercircuit).

As the circuit 300, the shift register 200 described in Embodiment 4 canbe used. In that case, the N wirings GL correspond to the wirings 218.As N circuits 301 (also referred to as circuits 301[1] to 301[N])included in the circuit 300, any types of the circuits 100 described inEmbodiments 1 to 3 can be used. In that case, the N wirings GLcorrespond to the wirings 152.

The selection and non-selection of the pixel 131 are controlled based onthe potential of the wiring GL. That is, the selection and non-selectionof the pixel 131 are controlled with the circuit 300. When the pixel 131is selected, a video signal is written from the wiring SL to the pixel131. While the video signal is held in the pixel 131, the pixel 131displays an image in accordance with the video signal. After that, whenthe pixel 131 is not selected, the pixel 131 keeps displaying the imagein accordance with the held video signal.

Next, a specific structure example of the pixel 131 is described.

The pixel 131 illustrated in FIG. 23B includes a transistor 132, aliquid crystal element 133, and a capacitor 134. A first terminal of thetransistor 132 is connected to the wiring SL, a second terminal of thetransistor 132 is electrically connected to a first electrode (alsoreferred to as a pixel electrode) of the liquid crystal element 133 anda first electrode of the capacitor 134, and a gate of the transistor 132is connected to the wiring GL. A second electrode (also referred to as acommon electrode) of the liquid crystal element 133 is shared by all ortwo or more of the plurality of pixels 131. In other words, a conductorincluding a region serving as the second electrode of the liquid crystalelement 133 of a first pixel 131 includes a region serving as the secondelectrode of the liquid crystal element 133 of a second pixel 131. Asecond electrode of the capacitor 134 is connected to a wiring having afunction of a capacitor line. The second electrode of the capacitor 134is connected to the same wiring in all or two or more of the pluralityof pixels 131. Note that the second electrode of the capacitor 134 maybe connected to the second electrode of the liquid crystal element 133.On/off of the transistor 132 is controlled with the potential of thewiring GL. When the transistor 132 is turned on, a video signal of thewiring SL is input to the pixel 131. The liquid crystal element 133includes a liquid crystal material. The alignment of the liquid crystalmaterial is controlled with the potential difference between the firstelectrode of the liquid crystal element 133 and the second electrode ofthe liquid crystal element 133. The capacitor 134 has a function ofaccumulating electric charge based on the video signal. In other words,the capacitor 134 has a function of maintaining the potential of thefirst electrode of the liquid crystal element 133 at a valuecorresponding to the video signal.

The pixel 131 illustrated in FIG. 23C includes a transistor 135, atransistor 136, and an EL element 137. A first terminal, a secondterminal, and a gate of the transistor 135 are connected to the wiringSL, a gate of the transistor 136, and the wiring GL, respectively. Afirst terminal and a second terminal of the transistor 136 are connectedto a wiring having a function of supplying a current flowing through theEL element 137 and a first electrode (also referred to as a pixelelectrode) of the EL element 137, respectively. A second electrode (alsoreferred to as a common electrode) of the EL element 137 is shared byall or two or more of the plurality of pixels 131. In other words, aconductor including a region serving as the second electrode of the ELelement 137 of the first pixel 131 includes a region serving as thesecond electrode of the EL element 137 of the second pixel 131. On/offof the transistor 135 is controlled with the potential of the wiring GL.When the transistor 135 is turned on, the video signal of the wiring SLis input to the pixel 131. The transistor 136 has a function ofsupplying a current to the EL element 137. The current supplied to theEL element 137 by the transistor 136 has a value corresponding to thevideo signal. The EL element 137 has a function of emitting light inaccordance with the current supplied from the transistor 136.

The structure of the pixel 131 is not limited to those in FIGS. 23B and23C. The pixel 131 has any structure as long as it includes a transistorwhose gate is connected to the wiring GL and first terminal is connectedto the wiring SL and a display element which displays an image on thebasis of a video signal input through the transistor. Alternatively, thepixel 131 has any structure as long as it includes a transistor whosegate is connected to the wiring GL and first terminal is connected tothe wiring SL and a pixel electrode to which a potential or a currentbased on a video signal input through the transistor is supplied.Alternatively, the pixel 131 has any structure as long as it includes atransistor whose gate is connected to the wiring GL and first terminalis connected to the wiring SL and a transistor which supplies a currentbased on a video signal input through the transistor to a displayelement or a pixel electrode.

Embodiment 6

In this embodiment, structure examples of a transistor that can be usedas the transistors 101 to 109 in the circuit 100 will be described withreference to drawings.

<Structural Example of Transistor>

FIG. 24A is a schematic top view of a transistor 600 described below asan example. FIG. 24B is a schematic cross-sectional view of thetransistor 600 taken along line A-B in FIG. 24A. The transistor 600described as an example in FIGS. 24A and 24B is a bottom-gatetransistor.

The transistor 600 includes a gate electrode 602 over a substrate 601,an insulating layer 603 over the substrate 601 and the gate electrode602, an oxide semiconductor layer 604 provided over the insulating layer603 to overlap with the gate electrode 602, and a pair of electrodes 605a and 605 b in contact with a top surface of the oxide semiconductorlayer 604. An insulating layer 606 covers the insulating layer 603, theoxide semiconductor layer 604, and the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605b. An insulating layer 607 is provided over the insulating layer 606.

There is no particular limitation on the properties of a material andthe like of the substrate 601 as long as the material has heatresistance high enough to withstand at least heat treatment performedlater. For example, a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, a quartzsubstrate, a sapphire substrate, or an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)substrate may be used as the substrate 601. Alternatively, a singlecrystal semiconductor substrate or a polycrystalline semiconductorsubstrate made of silicon or silicon carbide, a compound semiconductorsubstrate made of silicon germanium, an SOI substrate, or the like canbe used as the substrate 601. Still alternatively, any of thesesubstrates provided with a semiconductor element may be used as thesubstrate 601.

A flexible substrate such as a plastic substrate may be used as thesubstrate 601, and the transistor 600 may be provided directly on theflexible substrate. Alternatively, a separation layer may be providedbetween the substrate 601 and the transistor 600. The separation layercan be used when part or the whole of the transistor formed over theseparation layer is formed, separated from the substrate 601, and thentransmitted to another substrate. Thus, the transistor 600 can betransmitted to a substrate having low heat resistance or a flexiblesubstrate.

The gate electrode 602 can be formed using a metal selected fromaluminum, chromium, copper, tantalum, titanium, molybdenum, andtungsten; an alloy containing any of these metals as a component; analloy containing any of these metals in combination; or the like.Furthermore, one or both of manganese and zirconium may be used. Thegate electrode 602 may have a single-layer structure or a stackedstructure of two or more layers. For example, the gate electrode 602 canhave a single-layer structure of an aluminum film containing silicon, atwo-layer structure in which a titanium film is stacked over an aluminumfilm, a two-layer structure in which a titanium film is stacked over atitanium nitride film, a two-layer structure in which a tungsten film isstacked over a titanium nitride film, a two-layer structure in which atungsten film is stacked over a tantalum nitride film or a tungstennitride film, a three-layer structure in which a titanium film, analuminum film, and a titanium film are stacked in this order, or thelike. Alternatively, an alloy film or a nitride film that containsaluminum and one or more elements selected from titanium, tantalum,tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, neodymium, and scandium may be used.

The gate electrode 602 can also be formed using a light-transmittingconductive material such as indium tin oxide, indium oxide containingtungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide containing tungsten oxide, indiumoxide containing titanium oxide, indium tin oxide containing titaniumoxide, indium zinc oxide, or indium tin oxide to which silicon oxide isadded. The gate electrode 602 can have a stacked structure using theabove light-transmitting conductive material and the above metal.

Furthermore, an In—Ga—Zn-based oxynitride semiconductor film, anIn—Sn-based oxynitride semiconductor film, an In—Ga-based oxynitridesemiconductor film, an In—Zn-based oxynitride semiconductor film, aSn-based oxynitride semiconductor film, an In-based oxynitridesemiconductor film, a film of metal nitride (such as InN or ZnN), or thelike may be provided between the gate electrode 602 and the insulatinglayer 603. Materials of these films each have a work function of 5 eV orhigher, preferably 5.5 eV or higher; thus, the threshold voltage of atransistor including such an oxide semiconductor film can be shifted inthe positive direction, and what is called a normally-off switchingelement can be achieved. For example, in the case of using anIn—Ga—Zn-based oxynitride semiconductor film, an In—Ga—Zn-basedoxynitride semiconductor film having a higher nitrogen concentrationthan at least the oxide semiconductor layer 604, specifically, anIn—Ga—Zn-based oxynitride semiconductor film having a nitrogenconcentration of 7 atomic % or higher is used.

The insulating layer 603 functions as a gate insulating film. Theinsulating layer 603 in contact with a bottom surface of the oxidesemiconductor layer 604 is preferably an oxide insulating film.

The insulating layer 603 has a single-layer structure or a stackedstructure using silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, silicon nitrideoxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, gallium oxide, orGa—Zn-based metal oxide, for example.

The insulating layer 603 may be formed using a high-k material such ashafnium silicate (HfSiO_(x)), hafnium silicate to which nitrogen isadded (HfSi_(x)O_(y)N_(z)), hafnium aluminate to which nitrogen is added(HfAl_(x)O_(y)N_(z)), hafnium oxide, or yttrium oxide, in which casegate leakage current of the transistor can be reduced.

The pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b function as a source electrodeand a drain electrode of the transistor.

The pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b can be formed to have asingle-layer structure or a stacked structure using, as a conductivematerial, any of metals such as aluminum, titanium, chromium, nickel,copper, yttrium, zirconium, molybdenum, silver, tantalum, and tungstenor an alloy containing any of these metals as its main component. Forexample, the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b can have a single-layerstructure of an aluminum film containing silicon; a two-layer structurein which a titanium film is stacked over an aluminum film; a two-layerstructure in which a titanium film is stacked over a tungsten film; atwo-layer structure in which a copper film is formed over acopper-magnesium-aluminum alloy film; a three-layer structure in which atitanium film or a titanium nitride film, an aluminum film or a copperfilm, and a titanium film or a titanium nitride film are stacked in thisorder; or a three-layer structure in which a molybdenum film or amolybdenum nitride film, an aluminum film or a copper film, and amolybdenum film or a molybdenum nitride film are stacked in this order.Note that a transparent conductive material containing indium oxide, tinoxide, or zinc oxide may be used.

The insulating layer 606 is preferably an oxide insulating film whichcontains oxygen in excess of that in the stoichiometric composition.Part of oxygen is released by heating from the oxide insulating filmwhich contains oxygen in excess of that in the stoichiometriccomposition. The oxide insulating film which contains oxygen in excessof that in the stoichiometric composition is an oxide insulating film inwhich the amount of released oxygen converted into oxygen atoms is1.0×10¹⁸ atoms/cm³ or more, preferably 3.0×10²⁰ atoms/cm³ or more inthermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) analysis. Note that thetemperature of the film surface in the TDS analysis is preferably higherthan or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 700° C., or higherthan or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 500° C.

As the insulating layer 606, a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitridefilm, or the like can be used.

Note that the insulating layer 606 also functions as a film thatrelieves damage to the oxide semiconductor layer 604 at the time offorming the insulating layer 607 later.

Moreover, an oxide film transmitting oxygen may be provided between theinsulating layer 606 and the oxide semiconductor layer 604.

As the oxide film transmitting oxygen, a silicon oxide film, a siliconoxynitride film, or the like can be used. Note that in thisspecification, a “silicon oxynitride film” refers to a film thatcontains more oxygen than nitrogen, and a “silicon nitride oxide film”refers to a film that contains more nitrogen than oxygen.

The insulating layer 607 can be an insulating film having a blockingeffect against oxygen, hydrogen, water, and the like. Providing theinsulating layer 607 over the insulating layer 606 can prevent outwarddiffusion of oxygen from the oxide semiconductor layer 604 and entry ofhydrogen, water, or the like into the oxide semiconductor layer 604 fromthe outside. Examples of the insulating film having a blocking effectagainst oxygen, hydrogen, water, and the like are a silicon nitridefilm, a silicon nitride oxide film, an aluminum oxide film, an aluminumoxynitride film, a gallium oxide film, a gallium oxynitride film, anyttrium oxide film, an yttrium oxynitride film, a hafnium oxide film,and a hafnium oxynitride film.

<Example of Method for Manufacturing Transistor>

Next, an example of a manufacturing method of the transistor 600 inFIGS. 24A and 24B is described.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 25A, the gate electrode 602 is formed overthe substrate 601, and the insulating layer 603 is formed over the gateelectrode 602.

Here, a glass substrate is used as the substrate 601.

A method for forming the gate electrode 602 is described below. First, aconductive film is formed by a sputtering method, a CVD method, anevaporation method, or the like and then a resist mask is formed overthe conductive film using a first photomask by a photolithographyprocess. Next, part of the conductive film is etched using the resistmask to form the gate electrode 602. After that, the resist mask isremoved.

Note that the gate electrode 602 may be formed by an electrolyticplating method, a printing method, an inkjet method, or the like insteadof the above formation method.

The insulating layer 603 is formed by a sputtering method, a PECVDmethod, an evaporation method, or the like.

When a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, or a siliconnitride oxide film is formed as the insulating layer 603, a depositiongas containing silicon and an oxidizing gas are preferably used as asource gas. Typical examples of the deposition gas containing siliconinclude silane, disilane, trisilane, and silane fluoride. Examples ofthe oxidizing gas include oxygen, ozone, dinitrogen monoxide, andnitrogen dioxide.

When a silicon nitride film is formed as the insulating layer 603, it ispreferable to use a two-step formation method. First, a first siliconnitride film with few defects is formed by a plasma CVD method using amixed gas of silane, nitrogen, and ammonia as a source gas. Then, asecond silicon nitride film that has low hydrogen concentration and canblock hydrogen is formed by switching the source gas to a mixed gas ofsilane and nitrogen. With such a formation method, a silicon nitridefilm having few defects and a blocking property against hydrogen can beformed as the insulating layer 603.

When a gallium oxide film is formed as the insulating layer 603, a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method can be employed.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 25B, the oxide semiconductor layer 604 isformed over the insulating layer 603.

A method for forming the oxide semiconductor layer 604 is describedbelow. First, an oxide semiconductor film is formed. Then, a resist maskis formed over the oxide semiconductor film using a second photomask bya photolithography process. Then, part of the oxide semiconductor filmis etched using the resist mask to form the oxide semiconductor layer604. After that, the resist mask is removed.

After that, heat treatment may be performed. In such a case, the heattreatment is preferably performed under an atmosphere containing oxygen.The temperature of the heat treatment may be, for example, higher thanor equal to 150° C. and lower than or equal to 600° C., preferablyhigher than or equal to 200° C. and lower than or equal to 500° C.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 25C, the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 bare formed.

A method for forming the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b is describedbelow. First, a conductive film is formed by a sputtering method, aPECVD method, an evaporation method, or the like. Next, a resist mask isformed over the conductive film using a third photomask by aphotolithography process. Then, part of the conductive film is etchedusing the resist mask to form the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b.After that, the resist mask is removed.

Note that as illustrated in FIG. 25C, the upper part of the oxidesemiconductor layer 604 is partly etched and thinned by the etching ofthe conductive film in some cases. For this reason, the oxidesemiconductor film is preferably formed thick.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 25D, the insulating layer 606 is formedover the oxide semiconductor layer 604 and the pair of electrodes 605 aand 605 b, and the insulating layer 607 is successively formed over theinsulating layer 606.

When a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film is formed as theinsulating layer 606, a deposition gas containing silicon and anoxidizing gas are preferably used as a source gas. Typical examples ofthe deposition gas containing silicon include silane, disilane,trisilane, and silane fluoride. Examples of the oxidizing gas includeoxygen, ozone, dinitrogen monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

For example, a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film is formedunder the following conditions: the substrate placed in anvacuum-evacuated treatment chamber of a plasma CVD apparatus is held ata temperature ranging from 180° C. to 260° C., preferably from 200° C.to 240° C.; the pressure of the treatment chamber into which the sourcegas is introduced is set in the range from 100 Pa to 250 Pa, preferablyfrom 100 Pa to 200 Pa; and an electrode provided in the treatmentchamber is supplied with a high-frequency power ranging from 0.17 W/cm²to 0.5 W/cm², preferably from 0.25 W/cm² to 0.35 W/cm².

As the film formation conditions, the high-frequency power with theabove power density is supplied to the treatment chamber having theabove pressure, whereby the degradation efficiency of the source gas inplasma is increased, oxygen radicals are increased, and oxidation of thesource gas is promoted; therefore, the oxygen content in the oxideinsulating film becomes higher than that in the stoichiometriccomposition. However, when the substrate temperature is within the abovetemperature range, the bond between silicon and oxygen is weak, andaccordingly, part of oxygen is released by heating. Thus, it is possibleto form an oxide insulating film which contains oxygen in excess of thatin the stoichiometric composition and from which part of oxygen isreleased by heating.

In the case where an oxide insulating film is provided between the oxidesemiconductor layer 604 and the insulating layer 606, the oxideinsulating film serves as a protection film of the oxide semiconductorlayer 604 in the step of forming the insulating layer 606. Thus, theinsulating layer 606 can be formed using the high-frequency power withhigh power density while damage to the oxide semiconductor layer 604 isreduced.

For example, a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film can beformed as the oxide insulating film under the following conditions: thesubstrate placed in an vacuum-evacuated treatment chamber of the PECVDapparatus is held at a temperature ranging from 180° C. to 400° C.,preferably from 200° C. to 370° C.; the pressure of the treatmentchamber into which the source gas is introduced is set in the range from20 Pa to 250 Pa, preferably from 100 Pa to 250 Pa; and high-frequencypower is supplied to the electrode provided in the treatment chamber.Setting the pressure in the treatment chamber in the range from 100 Pato 250 Pa can reduce damage to the oxide semiconductor layer 604 at thetime of forming the oxide insulating film.

A deposition gas containing silicon and an oxidizing gas are preferablyused as a source gas of the oxide insulating film. Typical examples ofthe deposition gas containing silicon are silane, disilane, trisilane,and silane fluoride. Examples of the oxidizing gas are oxygen, ozone,dinitrogen monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

The insulating layer 607 can be formed by a sputtering method, a PECVDmethod, or the like.

When a silicon nitride film or a silicon nitride oxide film is formed asthe insulating layer 607, a deposition gas containing silicon, anoxidizing gas, and a gas containing nitrogen are preferably used as asource gas. Typical examples of the deposition gas containing siliconare silane, disilane, trisilane, and silane fluoride. Examples of theoxidizing gas are oxygen, ozone, dinitrogen monoxide, and nitrogendioxide. Examples of the gas containing nitrogen are nitrogen andammonia.

Through the above steps, the transistor 600 can be formed.

<Variation of Transistor>

Examples of the structure of a transistor that is partly different fromthe transistor 600 are described below.

FIG. 26A is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a transistor 610described below as an example. The transistor 610 differs from thetransistor 600 in the structure of the oxide semiconductor layer.

An oxide semiconductor layer 614 included in the transistor 610 is astack of an oxide semiconductor layer 614 a and an oxide semiconductorlayer 614 b.

Note that a boundary between the oxide semiconductor layers 614 a and614 b is shown by broken lines in FIG. 26A and the like because theboundary is not clear in some cases.

Typical examples of a material of the oxide semiconductor layer 614 aare an In—Ga oxide, an In—Zn oxide, and an In-M-Zn oxide (M representsAl, Ti, Ga, Y, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, or Hf). When the oxide semiconductorlayer 614 a is In-M-Zn oxide, without taking Zn and O intoconsideration, the proportion of In and the proportion of M arepreferably set to less than 50 atomic % and greater than or equal to 50atomic %, respectively, more preferably less than 25 atomic % andgreater than or equal to 75 atomic %, respectively. For example, amaterial that has an energy gap of 2 eV or more, preferably 2.5 eV ormore, more preferably 3 eV or more is used for the oxide semiconductorlayer 614 a.

The oxide semiconductor layer 614 b contains In or Ga, and typicallycontains an In—Ga oxide, an In—Zn oxide, or an In-M-Zn oxide (Mrepresents Al, Ti, Ga, Y, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, or Hf). The energy at theconduction band bottom of the oxide semiconductor layer 614 b is closerto a vacuum level than that of the oxide semiconductor layer 614 a, andtypically, the difference in the energy at the conduction band bottombetween the oxide semiconductor layer 614 b and the oxide semiconductorlayer 614 a is preferably 0.05 eV or more, 0.07 eV or more, 0.1 eV ormore, or 0.15 eV or more and 2 eV or less, 1 eV or less, 0.5 eV or less,or 0.4 eV or less.

For example, when the oxide semiconductor layer 614 b is an In-M-Znoxide, the proportion of In and the proportion of M, not taking Zn and Ointo consideration, are preferably greater than or equal to 25 atomic %and less than 75 atomic %, respectively, more preferably greater than orequal to 34 atomic % and less than 66 atomic %, respectively.

For example, for the oxide semiconductor layer 614 a, an In—Ga—Zn oxidewith an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=1:1:1, 1:1:1.2, or 3:1:2 can be used.For the oxide semiconductor layer 614 b, an In—Ga—Zn oxide with anatomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=1:3:2, 1:6:4, or 1:9:6 can be used. Note thatthe atomic ratio of each of the oxide semiconductor layers 614 a and 614b may vary within a margin of ±20% of the corresponding atomic ratio.

The oxide with a high content of Ga serving as a stabilizer is used forthe oxide semiconductor layer 614 b provided over the oxidesemiconductor layer 614 a, thereby preventing release of oxygen from theoxide semiconductor layers 614 a and 614 b.

Note that without limitation to the materials given above, a materialwith an appropriate composition depending on intended semiconductorcharacteristics and electrical characteristics (e.g., field-effectmobility and threshold voltage) of a transistor can be used. In order toobtain intended semiconductor characteristics of the transistor, it ispreferable that the carrier density, the impurity concentration, thedefect density, the atomic ratio of a metal element to oxygen, theinteratomic distance, the density, and the like of each of the oxidesemiconductor layers 614 a and 614 b be set to appropriate values.

Although the oxide semiconductor layer 614 is a stack of two oxidesemiconductor layers in the above structure, it may be a stack of threeor more oxide semiconductor layers.

FIG. 26B is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a transistor 620described below as an example. The transistor 620 differs from thetransistor 600 and the transistor 610 in the structure of the oxidesemiconductor layer.

In an oxide semiconductor layer 624 included in the transistor 620, anoxide semiconductor layer 624 a, an oxide semiconductor layer 624 b, andan oxide semiconductor layer 624 c are stacked in this order.

The oxide semiconductor layers 624 a and 624 b are stacked over theinsulating layer 603. The oxide semiconductor layer 624 c is provided incontact with a top surface of the oxide semiconductor layer 624 b andtop and side surfaces of the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b.

The oxide semiconductor layer 624 b can have a structure similar to thatof the oxide semiconductor layer 614 a exemplified in <Variation ofTransistor>, for example. Moreover, the oxide semiconductor layers 624 aand 624 c can have a structure similar to that of the oxidesemiconductor layer 614 b exemplified in <Variation of Transistor>, forexample.

For example, when an oxide with a high content of Ga serving as astabilizer is used for the oxide semiconductor layer 624 a providedunder the oxide semiconductor layer 624 b and the oxide semiconductorlayer 624 c provided over the oxide semiconductor layer 624 b, oxygencan be prevented from being released from the oxide semiconductor layers624 a to 624 c.

For example, in the case where a channel is formed mainly in the oxidesemiconductor layer 624 b, the on-state current of the transistor 620can be increased when an oxide with a high content of In is used for theoxide semiconductor layer 624 b and the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605b are provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer 624 b.

<Another Structure Example of Transistor>

A structural example of a top-gate transistor to which the oxidesemiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention can beapplied is described below.

Note that components having structures or functions similar to the aboveare denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereofis omitted below.

FIG. 27A is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a top-gate transistor650 described below as an example.

The transistor 650 includes the oxide semiconductor layer 604 over thesubstrate 601 provided with an insulating layer 651, the pair ofelectrodes 605 a and 605 b in contact with the top surface of the oxidesemiconductor layer 604, the insulating layer 603 over the oxidesemiconductor layer 604 and the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b, andthe gate electrode 602 provided over the insulating layer 603 to overlapwith the oxide semiconductor layer 604. An insulating layer 652 isprovided to cover the insulating layer 603 and the gate electrode 602.

The insulating layer 651 has a function of suppressing diffusion ofimpurities from the substrate 601 to the oxide semiconductor layer 604.For example, a structure similar to that of the insulating layer 607 canbe employed. Note that the insulating layer 651 is not necessarilyprovided.

Like the insulating layer 607, the insulating layer 652 can be aninsulating film having a blocking effect against oxygen, hydrogen,water, and the like. Note that the insulating layer 607 is notnecessarily provided.

Examples of the structure of a transistor that is partly different fromthe transistor 650 are described below.

FIG. 27B is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a transistor 660. Thetransistor 660 differs from the transistor 650 in the structure of theoxide semiconductor layer.

In an oxide semiconductor layer 664 included in the transistor 660, anoxide semiconductor layer 664 a, an oxide semiconductor layer 664 b, andan oxide semiconductor layer 664 c are stacked in this order.

The oxide semiconductor film described above can be used as one or moreof the oxide semiconductor layers 664 a to 664 c.

The oxide semiconductor layer 664 b can have a structure similar to thatof the oxide semiconductor layer 614 a exemplified in <Variation ofTransistor>, for example. The oxide semiconductor layers 664 a and 664 ccan have a structure similar to that of the oxide semiconductor layer614 b exemplified in <Variation of Transistor>, for example.

For example, when an oxide with a high content of Ga serving as astabilizer is used for the oxide semiconductor layer 664 a providedunder the oxide semiconductor layer 664 b and the oxide semiconductorlayer 664 c provided over the oxide semiconductor layer 664 b, oxygencan be prevented from being released from the oxide semiconductor layers664 a to 664 c.

A structure example of a transistor, which is partly different from thetransistor 650, is described below.

FIG. 27C is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a transistor 670exemplified below. The transistor 670 differs from the transistor 650 inthe shapes of the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b in contact with theoxide semiconductor layer 604, the shape of the gate electrode 602, andthe like.

The transistor 670 includes the oxide semiconductor layer 604 over thesubstrate 601 provided with the insulating layer 651, the insulatinglayer 603 over the oxide semiconductor layer 604, the gate electrode 602over the insulating layer 603, an insulating layer 654 over theinsulating layer 651 and the oxide semiconductor layer 604, aninsulating layer 656 over the insulating layer 654, the pair ofelectrodes 605 a and 605 b electrically connected to the oxidesemiconductor layer 604 through openings provided in the insulatinglayers 654 and 656, and the insulating layer 652 over the insulatinglayer 656 and the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b.

The insulating layer 654 is formed using, for example, an insulatingfilm containing hydrogen. As an example of the insulating filmcontaining hydrogen, a silicon nitride film can be given. Hydrogencontained in the insulating layer 654 is bonded to oxygen vacancies inthe oxide semiconductor layer 604 to be carriers in the oxidesemiconductor layer 604. Thus, in the structure illustrated in FIG. 27C,regions where the oxide semiconductor layer 604 and the insulating layer654 are in contact with each other refer to an n-type region 604 b andan n-type region 604 c. Note that a region between the n-type region 604b and the n-type region 604 c serves as a channel region 604 a.

By providing the n-type regions 604 b and 604 c in the oxidesemiconductor layer 604, contact resistance with the pair of electrodes605 a and 605 b can be reduced. The n-type regions 604 b and 604 c canbe formed using the insulating layer 654 covering the gate electrode 602at the time of forming the gate electrode 602 in a self-aligned manner.The transistor 670 illustrated in FIG. 27C is a so-called top-gatetransistor having a self-aligned structure. With a top-gate transistorhaving a self-aligned structure, an overlap of the gate electrode 602and the pair of electrodes 605 a and 605 b serving as a source electrodeand a drain electrode is not formed, which enables a reduction inparasitic capacitance between the electrodes.

The insulating layer 656 included in the transistor 670 can be formedusing a silicon oxynitride film, for example.

Embodiment 7

In this embodiment, the OS transistor described in the above embodimentis described.

<Characteristics of OS Transistor>

The off-state current of an OS transistor can be reduced by reducing theconcentration of impurities in an oxide semiconductor to make the oxidesemiconductor intrinsic or substantially intrinsic. The term“substantially intrinsic” refers to a state where an oxide semiconductorhas a carrier density lower than 1×10¹⁷/cm³, lower than 1×10¹⁵/cm³, orlower than 1×10¹³/cm³. In the oxide semiconductor, hydrogen, nitrogen,carbon, silicon, and metal elements other than main components areimpurities. For example, hydrogen and nitrogen form donor levels toincrease the carrier density.

A transistor using an intrinsic or substantially intrinsic oxidesemiconductor has a low carrier density and thus is less likely to havenegative threshold voltage. Moreover, because of few carrier traps inthe oxide semiconductor, the transistor using the oxide semiconductorhas small variation in electrical characteristics and high reliability.Furthermore, the transistor using the oxide semiconductor achieves anultra-low off-state current.

For example, the OS transistor with reduced off-state current canexhibit an off-state current per micrometer in channel width of 1×10⁻¹⁸A or less, 1×10⁻²¹ A or less, or 1×10⁻²⁴ A or less at room temperature(approximately 25° C.), or 1×10⁻¹⁵ A or less, 1×10⁻¹⁸ A or less, or1×10⁻²¹ A or less at 85° C.

<Off-State Current>

Unless otherwise specified, the off-state current in this specificationrefers to a drain current of a transistor in the off state (alsoreferred to as non-conduction state or cutoff state). Unless otherwisespecified, the off state of an n-channel transistor means that a voltage(Vgs) between its gate and source is lower than the threshold voltage(Vth), and the off state of a p-channel transistor means that thegate-source voltage Vgs is higher than the threshold voltage Vth. Forexample, the off-state current of an n-channel transistor sometimesrefers to a drain current that flows when the gate-source voltage Vgs islower than the threshold voltage Vth.

The off-state current of a transistor depends on Vgs in some cases.Thus, “the off-state current of a transistor is lower than or equal toI” may mean “there is Vgs with which the off-state current of thetransistor becomes lower than or equal to I”. Furthermore, “theoff-state current of a transistor” means “the off-state current in anoff state at predetermined Vgs”, “the off-state current in an off stateat Vgs in a predetermined range”, “the off-state current in an off stateat Vgs with which sufficiently reduced off-state current is obtained”,or the like.

As an example, the assumption is made of an n-channel transistor wherethe threshold voltage Vth is 0.5 V and the drain current is 1×10⁻⁹ A atVgs of 0.5 V, 1×10⁻¹³ A at Vgs of 0.1 V, 1×10⁻¹⁹ A at Vgs of −0.5 V, and1×10⁻²² A at Vgs of −0.8 V. The drain current of the transistor is1×10⁻¹⁹ A or lower at Vgs of −0.5 V or at Vgs in the range of −0.8 V to−0.5 V; therefore, it can be said that the off-state current of thetransistor is 1×10⁻¹⁹ A or lower. Since there is Vgs at which the draincurrent of the transistor is 1×10⁻²² A or lower, it may be said that theoff-state current of the transistor is 1×10⁻²² A or lower.

In this specification, the off-state current of a transistor with achannel width W is sometimes represented by a current value per thechannel width W or by a current value per given channel width (e.g., 1μm). In the latter case, the off-state current may be expressed in theunit with the dimension of current per length (e.g., A/μm).

The off-state current of a transistor depends on temperature in somecases. Unless otherwise specified, the off-state current in thisspecification may be an off-state current at room temperature, 60° C.,85° C., 95° C., or 125° C. Alternatively, the off-state current may bean off-state current at a temperature at which the reliability requiredin a semiconductor device or the like including the transistor isensured or a temperature at which the semiconductor device or the likeincluding the transistor is used (e.g., temperature in the range of 5°C. to 35° C.). The description “an off-state current of a transistor islower than or equal to I” may refer to a situation where there is Vgs atwhich the off-state current of a transistor is lower than or equal to Iat room temperature, 60° C., 85° C., 95° C., 125° C., a temperature atwhich the reliability required in a semiconductor device or the likeincluding the transistor is ensured, or a temperature at which thesemiconductor device or the like including the transistor is used (e.g.,temperature in the range of 5° C. to 35° C.).

The off-state current of a transistor depends on voltage Vds between itsdrain and source in some cases. Unless otherwise specified, theoff-state current in this specification may be an off-state current atVds of 0.1 V, 0.8 V, 1 V, 1.2 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3 V, 3.3 V, 10 V, 12 V,16 V, or 20 V. Alternatively, the off-state current might be anoff-state current at Vds at which the required reliability of asemiconductor device or the like including the transistor is ensured orVds at which the semiconductor device or the like including thetransistor is used. The description “an off-state current of atransistor is lower than or equal to I” may refer to a situation wherethere is Vgs at which the off-state current of a transistor is lowerthan or equal to I at Vds of 0.1 V, 0.8 V, 1 V, 1.2 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3V, 3.3 V, 10 V, 12 V, 16 V, or 20 V, Vds at which the requiredreliability of a semiconductor device or the like including thetransistor is ensured, or Vds at which in the semiconductor device orthe like including the transistor is used.

In the above description of off-state current, a drain may be replacedwith a source. That is, the off-state current sometimes refers to acurrent that flows through a source of a transistor in the off state.

In this specification, the term “leakage current” sometimes expressesthe same meaning as off-state current.

In this specification, the off-state current sometimes refers to acurrent that flows between a source and a drain when a transistor isoff, for example.

<Composition of Oxide Semiconductor>

Note that at least indium (In) or zinc (Zn) is preferably contained asan oxide semiconductor used for the semiconductor layer of the OStransistor. In particular, In and Zn are preferably contained. Astabilizer for strongly bonding oxygen is preferably contained inaddition to In and Zn. As a stabilizer, at least one of gallium (Ga),tin (Sn), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), and aluminum (Al) may becontained.

As another stabilizer, the oxide semiconductor may contain one or morekinds of lanthanoid such as lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium(Pr), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm),ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu).

As the oxide semiconductor used for the semiconductor layer of thetransistor, any of the following can be used, for example: indium oxide,tin oxide, zinc oxide, In—Zn-based oxide, Sn—Zn-based oxide, Al—Zn-basedoxide, Zn—Mg-based oxide, Sn—Mg-based oxide, In—Mg-based oxide,In—Ga-based oxide, In—Ga—Zn-based oxide (also referred to as IGZO),In—Al—Zn-based oxide, In—Sn—Zn-based oxide, Sn—Ga—Zn-based oxide,Al—Ga—Zn-based oxide, Sn—Al—Zn-based oxide, In—Hf—Zn-based oxide,In—Zr—Zn-based oxide, In—Ti—Zn-based oxide, In—Sc—Zn-based oxide,In—Y—Zn-based oxide, In—La—Zn-based oxide, In—Ce—Zn-based oxide,In—Pr—Zn-based oxide, In—Nd—Zn-based oxide, In—Sm—Zn-based oxide,In—Eu—Zn-based oxide, In—Gd—Zn-based oxide, In—Tb—Zn-based oxide,In—Dy—Zn-based oxide, In—Ho—Zn-based oxide, In—Er—Zn-based oxide,In—Tm—Zn-based oxide, In—Yb—Zn-based oxide, In—Lu—Zn-based oxide,In—Sn—Ga—Zn-based oxide, In—Hf—Ga—Zn-based oxide, In—Al—Ga—Zn-basedoxide, In—Sn—Al—Zn-based oxide, In—Sn—Hf—Zn-based oxide, andIn—Hf—Al—Zn-based oxide.

For example, it is possible to use an In—Ga—Zn-based oxide with anatomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=1:1:1, 3:1:2, or 2:1:3 or an oxide with anatomic ratio close to the above atomic ratios. It is particularlypreferable to use an In—Ga—Zn-based oxide with an atomic ratio ofIn:Ga:Zn=4:2:3 or close thereto. An oxide semiconductor film of anIn—Ga—Zn-based oxide with an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=4:2:3 or closethereto is formed using a target with an atomic ratio ofIn:Ga:Zn=4:2:4.1.

<Impurity in Oxide Semiconductor>

If an oxide semiconductor film forming the semiconductor layer containshydrogen, the hydrogen and the oxide semiconductor are bonded to eachother, so that part of the hydrogen serves as a donor and causesgeneration of an electron which is a carrier. As a result, the thresholdvoltage of the transistor shifts in the negative direction. It istherefore preferred that after formation of the oxide semiconductorfilm, dehydration treatment (dehydrogenation treatment) be performed toremove hydrogen or moisture from the oxide semiconductor film so thatthe oxide semiconductor film is highly purified to contain impurities aslittle as possible.

Note that oxygen in the oxide semiconductor film is sometimes reduced bythe dehydration treatment (dehydrogenation treatment). For this reason,it is preferred that oxygen be added to the oxide semiconductor film tofill oxygen vacancies increased by the dehydration treatment(dehydrogenation treatment).

In this manner, hydrogen or moisture is removed from the oxidesemiconductor film by the dehydration treatment (dehydrogenationtreatment) and oxygen vacancies therein are filled by oxygen addingtreatment, whereby the oxide semiconductor film can be turned into ani-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor film or a substantially i-type(intrinsic) oxide semiconductor film that is extremely close to ani-type oxide semiconductor film.

<Structure of Oxide Semiconductor>

Next, a structure of an oxide semiconductor will be described.

Note that in this specification, the term “parallel” indicates that anangle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to −10°and less than or equal to 10°, and accordingly also includes the casewhere the angle is greater than or equal to −5° and less than or equalto 5°. The term “substantially parallel” indicates that the angle formedbetween two straight lines is greater than or equal to −30° and lessthan or equal to 30°. In addition, the term “perpendicular” indicatesthat the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than orequal to 80° and less than or equal to 100°, and accordingly alsoincludes the case where the angle is greater than or equal to 85° andless than or equal to 95°. The term “substantially perpendicular”indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greaterthan or equal to 60° and less than or equal to 120°.

In this specification, trigonal and rhombohedral crystal systems areincluded in a hexagonal crystal system.

An oxide semiconductor film is classified into a non-single-crystaloxide semiconductor film and a single crystal oxide semiconductor film.Alternatively, an oxide semiconductor is classified into, for example, acrystalline oxide semiconductor and an amorphous oxide semiconductor.

Examples of a non-single-crystal oxide semiconductor include a c-axisaligned crystalline oxide semiconductor (CAAC-OS), a polycrystallineoxide semiconductor, a microcrystalline oxide semiconductor, and anamorphous oxide semiconductor. In addition, examples of a crystallineoxide semiconductor include a single crystal oxide semiconductor, aCAAC-OS, a polycrystalline oxide semiconductor, and a microcrystallineoxide semiconductor.

First, a CAAC-OS film is described.

The CAAC-OS film is one of oxide semiconductor films having a pluralityof c-axis aligned crystal parts.

With a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a combined analysis image(also referred to as a high-resolution TEM image) of a bright-fieldimage and a diffraction pattern of the CAAC-OS film is observed.Consequently, a plurality of crystal parts are observed clearly.However, in the high-resolution TEM image, a boundary between crystalparts, i.e., a grain boundary is not observed clearly. Thus, in theCAAC-OS film, a reduction in electron mobility due to the grain boundaryis less likely to occur.

According to the high-resolution cross-sectional TEM image of theCAAC-OS film observed in a direction substantially parallel to a samplesurface (cross-sectional TEM image), metal atoms are arranged in alayered manner in the crystal parts. Each metal atom layer has amorphology that reflects a surface over which the CAAC-OS film is formed(also referred to as a formation surface) or a top surface of theCAAC-OS film, and is provided parallel to the formation surface or thetop surface of the CAAC-OS film.

On the other hand, according to the high-resolution planar TEM image ofthe CAAC-OS film observed in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe sample surface (planar TEM image), metal atoms are arranged in atriangular or hexagonal configuration in the crystal parts. However,there is no regularity of arrangement of metal atoms between differentcrystal parts.

The CAAC-OS film is subjected to structural analysis with an X-raydiffraction (XRD) apparatus. For example, when the CAAC-OS filmincluding an InGaZnO₄ crystal is analyzed by an out-of-plane method, apeak appears frequently when the diffraction angle (2θ) is around 31°.This peak is derived from the (009) plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal, whichindicates that crystals in the CAAC-OS film have c-axis alignment, andthat the c-axes are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicularto the formation surface or the top surface of the CAAC-OS film.

Note that when the CAAC-OS film with an InGaZnO₄ crystal is analyzed byan out-of-plane method, a peak of 28 may also be observed at around 36°,in addition to the peak of 2θ at around 31°. The peak of 8θ at around36° indicates that a crystal having no c-axis alignment is included inpart of the CAAC-OS film. It is preferable that in the CAAC-OS film, apeak of 2θ appear at around 31° and a peak of 2θ not appear at around36°.

The CAAC-OS film is an oxide semiconductor film having low impurityconcentration. The impurity is an element other than the main componentsof the oxide semiconductor film, such as hydrogen, carbon, silicon, or atransition metal element. In particular, an element that has higherbonding strength to oxygen than a metal element included in the oxidesemiconductor film, such as silicon, disturbs the atomic order of theoxide semiconductor film by depriving the oxide semiconductor film ofoxygen and causes a decrease in crystallinity. Furthermore, a heavymetal such as iron or nickel, argon, carbon dioxide, or the like has alarge atomic radius (molecular radius), and thus disturbs the atomicorder of the oxide semiconductor film and causes a decrease incrystallinity when it is contained in the oxide semiconductor film. Notethat the impurity contained in the oxide semiconductor film might serveas a carrier trap or a carrier generation source.

The CAAC-OS film is an oxide semiconductor film having low density ofdefect states. In some cases, oxygen vacancies in the oxidesemiconductor film serve as carrier traps or serve as carrier generationsources when hydrogen is captured therein.

The state in which impurity concentration is low and density of defectstates is low (the number of oxygen vacancies is small) is referred toas “highly purified intrinsic” or “substantially highly purifiedintrinsic.” A highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purifiedintrinsic oxide semiconductor film has few carrier generation sources,and thus can have low carrier density. Thus, a transistor including theoxide semiconductor film rarely has negative threshold voltage (israrely normally on). The highly purified intrinsic or substantiallyhighly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor film has few carriertraps. Accordingly, the transistor including the oxide semiconductorfilm has few variations in electrical characteristics and highreliability. Charge trapped by the carrier traps in the oxidesemiconductor film takes a long time to be released and may behave likefixed charge. Thus, the transistor that includes the oxide semiconductorfilm having high impurity concentration and high density of defectstates has unstable electrical characteristics in some cases.

In a transistor including the CAAC-OS film, changes in electricalcharacteristics of the transistor due to irradiation with visible lightor ultraviolet light are small.

Next, a microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film is described.

A microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film has a region where a crystalpart is observed in a high-resolution TEM image and a region where acrystal part is not clearly observed in a high-resolution TEM image. Inmost cases, a crystal part in the microcrystalline oxide semiconductorfilm is greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm,or greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 10 nm. Amicrocrystal with a size greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than orequal to 10 nm, or a size greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than orequal to 3 nm is specifically referred to as nanocrystal (nc). An oxidesemiconductor film including nanocrystal is referred to as ananocrystalline oxide semiconductor (nc-OS) film. In a high-resolutionTEM image, a grain boundary cannot be found clearly in the nc-OS film insome cases.

In the nc-OS film, a microscopic region (e.g., a region with a sizegreater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 10 nm, inparticular, a region with a size greater than or equal to 1 nm and lessthan or equal to 3 nm) has periodic atomic order. There is no regularityof crystal orientation between different crystal parts in the nc-OSfilm. Thus, the orientation of the whole film is not observed.Accordingly, in some cases, the nc-OS film cannot be distinguished froman amorphous oxide semiconductor film depending on an analysis method.For example, when the nc-OS film is subjected to structural analysis byan out-of-plane method with an XRD apparatus using an X-ray having adiameter larger than that of a crystal part, a peak that shows a crystalplane does not appear. Furthermore, a halo pattern is shown in aselected-area electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OS film obtained byusing an electron beam having a probe diameter larger than the diameterof a crystal part (e.g., larger than or equal to 50 nm). Meanwhile,spots are shown in a nanobeam electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OSfilm obtained by using an electron beam having a probe diameter close toor smaller than the diameter of a crystal part. Furthermore, in ananobeam electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OS film, regions withhigh luminance in a circular (ring) pattern are observed in some cases.Also in a nanobeam electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OS film, aplurality of spots are shown in a ring-like region in some cases.

The nc-OS film is an oxide semiconductor film that has high regularitythan an amorphous oxide semiconductor film. Thus, the nc-OS film has alower density of defect states than the amorphous oxide semiconductorfilm. Note that there is no regularity of crystal orientation betweendifferent crystal parts in the nc-OS film; thus, the nc-OS film has ahigher density of defect states than the CAAC-OS film.

Next, an amorphous oxide semiconductor film is described.

The amorphous oxide semiconductor film has disordered atomic arrangementand no crystal part. For example, the amorphous oxide semiconductor filmdoes not have a specific state as in quartz.

In a high-resolution TEM image of the amorphous oxide semiconductorfilm, crystal parts cannot be found.

When the amorphous oxide semiconductor film is subjected to structuralanalysis by an out-of-plane method with an XRD apparatus, a peak whichshows a crystal plane does not appear. A halo pattern is shown in anelectron diffraction pattern of the amorphous oxide semiconductor film.Furthermore, a halo pattern is shown but a spot is not shown in ananobeam electron diffraction pattern of the amorphous oxidesemiconductor film.

Note that an oxide semiconductor film may have a structure havingphysical properties between the nc-OS film and the amorphous oxidesemiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film having such a structureis specifically referred to as an amorphous-like oxide semiconductor(a-like OS) film.

In a high-resolution TEM image of the a-like OS film, a void may beseen. Furthermore, in the high-resolution TEM image, there are a regionwhere a crystal part is clearly observed and a region where a crystalpart is not observed. In the a-like OS film, crystallization by a slightamount of electron beam used for TEM observation occurs and growth ofthe crystal part is found sometimes. In contrast, crystallization by aslight amount of electron beam used for TEM observation is less observedin the nc-OS film having good quality.

Note that the crystal part size in the a-like OS film and the nc-OS filmcan be measured using high-resolution TEM images. For example, anInGaZnO₄ crystal has a layered structure in which two Ga—Zn—O layers areincluded between In—O layers. A unit cell of the InGaZnO₄ crystal has astructure in which nine layers of three In—O layers and six Ga—Zn—Olayers are layered in the c-axis direction. Accordingly, the spacingbetween these adjacent layers is equivalent to the lattice spacing onthe (009) plane (also referred to as a d value). The value is calculatedto be 0.29 nm from crystal structure analysis. Thus, each of the latticefringes in which the spacing therebetween is from 0.28 nm to 0.30 nmcorresponds to the a-b plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal, focusing on thelattice fringes in the high-resolution TEM image.

The density of an oxide semiconductor film might vary depending on itsstructure. For example, if the composition of an oxide semiconductorfilm is determined, the structure of the oxide semiconductor film can beestimated from a comparison between the density of the oxidesemiconductor film and the density of a single-crystal oxidesemiconductor film having the same composition as the oxidesemiconductor film. For example, the density of an a-like OS film ishigher than or equal to 78.6% and lower than 92.3% of that of thesingle-crystal oxide semiconductor film. In addition, for example, thedensity of an nc-OS film or a CAAC-OS film is higher than or equal to92.3% and lower than 100% of that of the single-crystal oxidesemiconductor film. Note that it is difficult to form an oxidesemiconductor film whose density is lower than 78% of that of thesingle-crystal oxide semiconductor film.

Specific examples of the above are described. For example, in the caseof an oxide semiconductor film with an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=1:1:1,the density of single-crystal InGaZnO₄ with a rhombohedral crystalstructure is 6.357 g/cm³. Thus, for example, in the case of the oxidesemiconductor film with an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=1:1:1, the densityof an a-like OS film is higher than or equal to 5.0 g/cm³ and lower than5.9 g/cm³. In addition, for example, in the case of the oxidesemiconductor film with an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn=1:1:1, the densityof an nc-OS film or a CAAC-OS film is higher than or equal to 5.9 g/cm³and lower than 6.3 g/cm³.

Note that single crystals with the same composition do not exist in somecases. In such a case, by combining single crystals with differentcompositions at a given proportion, it is possible to calculate densitythat corresponds to the density of a single crystal with a desiredcomposition. The density of the single crystal with a desiredcomposition may be calculated using weighted average with respect to thecombination ratio of the single crystals with different compositions.Note that it is preferable to combine as few kinds of single crystals aspossible for density calculation.

Note that an oxide semiconductor film may be a stacked film includingtwo or more films of an amorphous oxide semiconductor film, an a-like OSfilm, a microcrystalline oxide semiconductor film, and a CAAC-OS film,for example.

As described above, the OS transistor can achieve highly favorableoff-state current characteristics.

Embodiment 8

In this embodiment, a display module in which any of the semiconductordevices described in the above embodiments is used will be described.For example, the semiconductor device can be used in part of a gatedriver circuit portion, a source driver circuit portion, or a pixelportion. An example of the display module will be described below withreference to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29.

<Plan View of Display Module>

FIG. 28 is a top view of an example of a display module. A displaymodule 700 illustrated in FIG. 28 includes a pixel portion 702 providedover a first substrate 701; a source driver circuit portion 704 and agate driver circuit portion 706 provided over the first substrate 701; asealant 712 provided to surround the pixel portion 702, the sourcedriver circuit portion 704, and the gate driver circuit portion 706; anda second substrate 705 provided to face the first substrate 701. Thefirst substrate 701 and the second substrate 705 are sealed with thesealant 712. That is, the pixel portion 702, the source driver circuitportion 704, and the gate driver circuit portion 706 are sealed with thefirst substrate 701, the sealant 712, and the second substrate 705.Although not illustrated in FIG. 28, a display element is providedbetween the first substrate 701 and the second substrate 705.

In the display module 700, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) terminalportion 708 electrically connected to the pixel portion 702, the sourcedriver circuit portion 704, and the gate driver circuit portion 706 isprovided in a region different from the region which is surrounded bythe sealant 712 and positioned over the first substrate 701.Furthermore, an FPC 716 is connected to the FPC terminal portion 708,and a variety of signals and the like are supplied to the pixel portion702, the source driver circuit portion 704, and the gate driver circuitportion 706 through the FPC 716. Furthermore, a signal line 710 isconnected to the pixel portion 702, the source driver circuit portion704, the gate driver circuit portion 706, and the FPC terminal portion708. The variety of signals and the like are applied to the pixelportion 702, the source driver circuit portion 704, the gate drivercircuit portion 706, and the FPC terminal portion 708 via the signalline 710 from the FPC 716.

A plurality of gate driver circuit portions 706 may be provided in thedisplay module 700. An example of the display module 700 in which thesource driver circuit portion 704 and the gate driver circuit portion706 are formed over the first substrate 701 where the pixel portion 702is also formed is described; however, the structure is not limitedthereto. For example, only the gate driver circuit portion 706 may beformed over the first substrate 701 or only the source driver circuitportion 704 may be formed over the first substrate 701. In this case, asubstrate where a source driver circuit, a gate driver circuit, or thelike is formed (e.g., a driver-circuit substrate formed using asingle-crystal semiconductor film or a polycrystalline semiconductorfilm) may be mounted on the first substrate 701. Note that there is noparticular limitation on the method of connecting a separately prepareddriver circuit substrate, and a chip on glass (COG) method, a wirebonding method, or the like can be used.

The pixel portion 702, the source driver circuit portion 704, and thegate driver circuit portion 706 included in the display module 700include a plurality of transistors. As the plurality of transistors, anyof the transistors that are described in the above embodiments can beused.

The display module 700 can include any of a variety of elements. Theelement includes, for example, at least one of a liquid crystal element,an electroluminescence (EL) element (e.g., an EL element includingorganic and inorganic materials, an organic EL element, or an inorganicEL element), an LED (e.g., a white LED, a red LED, a green LED, or ablue LED), a transistor (a transistor that emits light depending oncurrent), an electron emitter, electronic ink, an electrophoreticelement, a grating light valve (GLV), a plasma display panel (PDP), adisplay element using micro electro mechanical system (MEMS), a digitalmicromirror device (DMD), a digital micro shutter (DMS), aninterferometric modulator (IMOD) element, a MEMS shutter displayelement, an optical-interference-type MEMS display element, anelectrowetting element, a piezoelectric ceramic display, and a displayelement including a carbon nanotube. Other than the above, display mediawhose contrast, luminance, reflectivity, transmittance, or the like ischanged by an electrical or magnetic effect may be included. Examples ofdisplay devices having EL elements include an EL display. Examples ofdisplay devices including electron emitters include a field emissiondisplay (FED) and an SED-type flat panel display (SED:surface-conduction electron-emitter display). Examples of displaydevices including liquid crystal elements include a liquid crystaldisplay (e.g., a transmissive liquid crystal display, a transflectiveliquid crystal display, a reflective liquid crystal display, adirect-view liquid crystal display, or a projection liquid crystaldisplay). An example of a display device including electronic ink orelectrophoretic elements is electronic paper. In the case of atransflective liquid crystal display or a reflective liquid crystaldisplay, some of or all of pixel electrodes function as reflectiveelectrodes. For example, some or all of pixel electrodes are formed toinclude aluminum, silver, or the like. In such a case, a memory circuitsuch as an SRAM can be provided under the reflective electrodes, leadingto lower power consumption. Note that in this embodiment, a structureincluding a liquid crystal element as a display element is describedbelow.

As a display method in the display module 700, a progressive method, aninterlace method, or the like can be employed. Furthermore, colorelements controlled in a pixel at the time of color display are notlimited to three colors: R, G, and B (R, G, and B correspond to red,green, and blue, respectively). For example, four pixels of the R pixel,the G pixel, the B pixel, and a W (white) pixel may be included.Alternatively, a color element may be composed of two colors among R, G,and B as in PenTile layout. The two colors may differ among colorelements. Alternatively, one or more colors of yellow, cyan, magenta,and the like may be added to RGB. Furthermore, the size of a displayregion may be different depending on respective dots of the colorcomponents. Embodiments of the disclosed invention are not limited to adisplay device for color display; the disclosed invention can also beapplied to a display device for monochrome display.

A coloring layer (also referred to as a color filter) may be used inorder to obtain a full-color display device in which white light (W) fora backlight (e.g., an organic EL element, an inorganic EL element, anLED, or a fluorescent lamp) is used. As the coloring layer, red (R),green (G), blue (B), yellow (Y), or the like may be combined asappropriate, for example. With the use of the coloring layer, highercolor reproducibility can be obtained than in the case without thecoloring layer. In this case, by providing a region with the coloringlayer and a region without the coloring layer, white light in the regionwithout the coloring layer may be directly utilized for display. Bypartly providing the region without the coloring layer, a decrease inluminance due to the coloring layer can be suppressed, and 20% to 30% ofpower consumption can be reduced in some cases when an image isdisplayed brightly. Note that in the case where full-color display isperformed using a self-luminous element such as an organic EL element oran inorganic EL element, elements may emit light of their respectivecolors R, G, B, Y, and W. By using a self-luminous element, powerconsumption can be further reduced as compared to the case of using thecoloring layer in some cases. Note that in this embodiment, a structurein which a backlight and the like are not provided, that is, a so-calledreflective liquid crystal display module is described below.

<Cross-Sectional View of Display Module>

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line Q-R inFIG. 28. The display module illustrated in FIG. 29 is described indetail below.

The display module 700 illustrated in FIG. 29 includes a lead wiringportion 711, the pixel portion 702, the source driver circuit portion704, and the FPC terminal portion 708. Note that the lead wiring portion711 includes the signal line 710. The pixel portion 702 includes atransistor 750 and a capacitor 790. The source driver circuit portion704 includes a transistor 752.

Any of the transistors described above can be used as the transistors750 and 752.

The transistors used in this embodiment each include an oxidesemiconductor film which is highly purified and in which formation ofoxygen vacancies is suppressed. In the transistor, the current in an offstate (off-state current) can be made small. Accordingly, an electricalsignal such as an image signal can be held for a longer period, and awriting interval can be set longer in an on state. Accordingly, thefrequency of refresh operation can be reduced, which leads to an effectof suppressing power consumption.

In addition, the transistor used in this embodiment can have relativelyhigh field-effect mobility and thus is capable of high speed operation.For example, with such a transistor which can operate at high speed usedfor a display device, a switching transistor in a pixel portion and adriver transistor in a driver circuit portion can be formed over onesubstrate. That is, a semiconductor device formed using a silicon waferor the like is not additionally needed as a driver circuit, by which thenumber of components of the semiconductor device can be reduced. Inaddition, the transistor which can operate at high speed can be usedalso in the pixel portion, whereby a high-quality image can be provided.

The capacitor 790 includes a dielectric between a pair of electrodes.Specifically, a conductive film which is formed using the same step as aconductive film functioning as a gate electrode of the transistor 750 isused as one electrode of the capacitor 790, and a conductive filmfunctioning as a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor750 is used as the other electrode of the capacitor 790. Furthermore, aninsulating film functioning as a gate insulating film of the transistor750 is used as the dielectric between the pair of electrodes.

In FIG. 29, insulating films 764 and 768 and a planarization insulatingfilm 770 are formed over the transistor 750, the transistor 752, and thecapacitor 790.

As the insulating film 764, a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitridefilm, or the like may be formed by a PECVD device, for example. As theinsulating film 768, a silicon nitride film or the like may be formed bya PECVD device, for example. The planarization insulating film 770 canbe formed using a heat-resistant organic material, such as a polyimideresin, an acrylic resin, a polyimide amide resin, a benzocyclobuteneresin, a polyamide resin, or an epoxy resin. Note that the planarizationinsulating film 770 may be formed by stacking a plurality of insulatingfilms formed from these materials. Alternatively, a structure withoutthe planarization insulating film 770 may be employed.

The signal line 710 is formed in the same process as conductive filmsfunctioning as a source electrode and a drain electrode of thetransistor 750 or 752. Note that the signal line 710 may be formed usinga conductive film which is formed in a different process as a sourceelectrode and a drain electrode of the transistor 750 or 752, e.g., aconductive film formed in the same process as a conductive filmfunctioning as a gate electrode may be used. In the case where thesignal line 710 is formed using a material including a copper element,signal delay or the like due to wiring resistance is reduced, whichenables display on a large screen.

The FPC terminal portion 708 includes a connection electrode 760, ananisotropic conductive film 780, and the FPC 716. Note that theconnection electrode 760 is formed in the same process as conductivefilms functioning as a source electrode and a drain electrode of thetransistor 750 or 752. The connection electrode 760 is electricallyconnected to a terminal included in the FPC 716 through the anisotropicconductive film 780.

For example, a glass substrate can be used as the first substrate 701and the second substrate 705. A flexible substrate may be used as thefirst substrate 701 and the second substrate 705. Examples of theflexible substrate include a plastic substrate.

A structure body 778 is provided between the first substrate 701 and thesecond substrate 705. The structure body 778 is a columnar spacerobtained by selective etching of an insulating film and provided tocontrol the distance (cell gap) between the first substrate 701 and thesecond substrate 705. Note that a spherical spacer may be used as thestructure body 778. Although the structure in which the structure body778 is provided on the first substrate 701 side is described as anexample in this embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention isnot limited thereto. For example, a structure in which the structurebody 778 is provided on the second substrate 705 side, or a structure inwhich both of the first substrate 701 and the second substrate 705 areprovided with the structure body 778 may be employed.

Furthermore, a light-blocking film 738 functioning as a black matrix, acoloring film 736 functioning as a color filter, and an insulating film734 in contact with the light-blocking film 738 and the coloring film736 are provided on the second substrate 705 side.

In the cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 29 as an example, thedisplay module 700 includes a liquid crystal element 775. The liquidcrystal element 775 includes a conductive film 772, a conductive film774, and a liquid crystal layer 776. The liquid crystal layer 776 isformed using a liquid crystal material having a dielectric constantanisotropy of greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 3.8.The conductive film 774 is provided on the second substrate 705 side andfunctions as a counter electrode. The display module 700 in FIG. 29 iscapable of displaying an image in such a manner that transmission ornon-transmission of light is controlled by change in the alignment stateof the liquid crystal layer 776 depending on a voltage applied to theconductive film 772 and the conductive film 774.

The conductive film 772 is connected to the conductive films functioningas a source electrode and a drain electrode included in the transistor750. The conductive film 772 is formed over the planarization insulatingfilm 770 to function as a pixel electrode, i.e., one electrode of thedisplay element. The conductive film 772 has a function of a reflectiveelectrode. The display module 700 in FIG. 29 is what is called areflective color liquid crystal display device in which external lightis reflected by the conductive film 772 to display an image through thecoloring film 736.

A conductive film that transmits visible light or a conductive film thatreflects visible light can be used for the conductive film 772. Forexample, a material including one kind selected from indium (In), zinc(Zn), and tin (Sn) is preferably used for the conductive film thattransmits visible light. For example, a material including aluminum orsilver may be used for the conductive film that reflects visible light.In this embodiment, the conductive film that reflects visible light isused for the conductive film 772.

In the case where a conductive film which reflects visible light is usedas the conductive film 772, the conductive film may have a stacked-layerstructure. For example, a 100-nm-thick aluminum film is formed as thebottom layer, and a 30-nm-thick silver alloy film (e.g., an alloy filmincluding silver, palladium, and copper) is formed as the top layer.Such a structure makes it possible to obtain the following effects.

(1) Adhesion between the base film and the conductive film 772 can beimproved.

(2) The aluminum film and the silver alloy film can be collectivelyetched depending on a chemical solution.

(3) The conductive film 772 can have a favorable cross-sectional shape(e.g., a tapered shape).

The reason for (3) is as follows: the etching rate of the aluminum filmwith the chemical solution is lower than that of the silver alloy film,or etching of the aluminum film that is the bottom layer is developedfaster than that of the silver alloy film because when the aluminum filmthat is the bottom layer is exposed after the etching of the silveralloy film that is the top layer, electrons are extracted from metalthat is less noble than the silver alloy film, i.e., aluminum that ismetal having a high ionization tendency, and thus etching of the silveralloy film is suppressed.

Note that projections and depressions are provided in part of theplanarization insulating film 770 of the pixel portion 702 in thedisplay module 700 in FIG. 29. The projections and depressions can beformed in such a manner that the planarization insulating film 770 isformed using an organic resin film or the like, and projections anddepressions are formed on the surface of the organic resin film. Theconductive film 772 functioning as a reflective electrode is formedalong the projections and depressions. Therefore, when external light isincident on the conductive film 772, the light is reflected diffusely atthe surface of the conductive film 772, whereby visibility can beimproved. As illustrated in FIG. 29, a reflective color liquid crystaldisplay device can display an image without a backlight, which enables areduction in power consumption.

Note that the display module 700 illustrated in FIG. 29 is a reflectivecolor liquid crystal display module given as an example, but a displaytype is not limited thereto. For example, a transmissive color liquidcrystal display module in which the conductive film 772 is a conductivefilm that transmits visible light may be used. In the case of atransmissive color liquid crystal display module, projections anddepressions are not necessarily provided on the planarization insulatingfilm 770.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 29, an alignment film may be providedon a side of the conductive film 772 in contact with the liquid crystallayer 776 and on a side of the conductive film 774 in contact with theliquid crystal layer 776. Although not illustrated in FIG. 29, anoptical member (an optical substrate) and the like such as a polarizingmember, a retardation member, or an anti-reflection member may beprovided as appropriate. For example, circular polarization may beemployed by using a polarizing substrate and a retardation substrate. Inthe case of the transmissive display module or the semi-transmissivedisplay module, a backlight, a sidelight, or the like may be used as alight source.

As the liquid crystal element, a thermotropic liquid crystal, alow-molecular liquid crystal, a high-molecular liquid crystal, a polymerdispersed liquid crystal, a ferroelectric liquid crystal, ananti-ferroelectric liquid crystal, or the like can be used. Such aliquid crystal material exhibits a cholesteric phase, a smectic phase, acubic phase, a chiral nematic phase, an isotropic phase, or the likedepending on conditions.

Alternatively, in the case of employing a horizontal electric fieldmode, a liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase for which an alignmentfilm is unnecessary may be used. A blue phase is one of liquid crystalphases, which is generated just before a cholesteric phase changes intoan isotropic phase while temperature of cholesteric liquid crystal isincreased. Since the blue phase appears only in a narrow temperaturerange, a liquid crystal composition in which several weight percent ormore of a chiral material is mixed is used for the liquid crystal layerin order to improve the temperature range. The liquid crystalcomposition which includes liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase and achiral material has a short response time, and has optical isotropy,which makes the alignment process unneeded and viewing angle dependencesmall. An alignment film does not need to be provided and rubbingtreatment is thus not necessary; accordingly, electrostatic dischargedamage caused by the rubbing treatment can be prevented and defects anddamage of the liquid crystal display device in the manufacturing processcan be reduced.

In the case where a liquid crystal element is used as the displayelement, a twisted nematic (TN) mode, an in-plane-switching (IPS) mode,a fringe field switching (FFS) mode, an axially symmetric alignedmicro-cell (ASM) mode, an optical compensated birefringence (OCB) mode,a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) mode, an antiferroelectric liquidcrystal (AFLC) mode, or the like can be used.

Furthermore, a normally black liquid crystal display device such as atransmissive liquid crystal display device utilizing a verticalalignment (VA) mode may also be used. There are some examples of avertical alignment mode; for example, a multi-domain vertical alignment(MVA) mode, a patterned vertical alignment (PVA) mode, an ASV mode, orthe like can be employed.

Embodiment 9

In this embodiment, an input/output device (also referred to as a touchpanel) obtained by providing a touch sensor (a contact sensor device)for the display module described in the above embodiment is describedwith reference to FIGS. 30A to 30C and FIG. 31. Hereinafter, thedescription of the same portions as those in the above embodiments isomitted in some cases.

FIGS. 30A to 30C are projection drawings illustrating a structure of theinput/output device.

FIG. 30A is a projection drawing of an input/output device 800, and FIG.30B is a projection drawing illustrating a structure of a sensor unit820U included in the input/output device 800.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Z1-Z2 of theinput/output device 800 in FIG. 30A.

The input/output device 800 described in this embodiment includes aninput device 850 and a display module 801. The input device 850 includesa plurality of sensor units 820U arranged in matrix and each providedwith window portions 834 transmitting visible light, a scan line G1electrically connected to a plurality of sensor units 820U placed in therow direction (indicated by arrow Rx in the drawing), a signal line DLelectrically connected to a plurality of sensor units 820U placed in thecolumn direction (indicated by arrow Ry in the drawing), and a firstbase material 836 supporting the sensor unit 820U, the scan line G1, andthe signal line DL. The display module 801 includes a plurality ofpixels 802 overlapping with the window portions 834 and arranged inmatrix and a second base material 810 supporting the pixels 802 (seeFIGS. 30A to 30C).

The sensor unit 820U includes a sensor element Ca overlapping with thewindow portion 834 and a sensor circuit 839 electrically connected tothe sensor element Ca (see FIG. 30B).

The sensor element Ca includes an insulating layer 823, and a firstelectrode 821 and a second electrode 822 between which the insulatinglayer 823 (not illustrated in FIG. 30B) is sandwiched (see FIG. 30B).

A selection signal is supplied to the sensor circuit 839, and the sensorcircuit 839 supplies a sensor signal DATA based on the change incapacitance of the sensor element Ca.

The scan line G1 can supply the selection signal, the signal line DL cansupply the sensor signal DATA, and the sensor circuit 839 is placed tooverlap with gaps between the plurality of window portions 834.

In addition, the input/output device 800 described in this embodimentincludes a coloring layer between the sensor unit 820U and the pixel 802overlapping with the window portion 834 of the sensor unit 820U.

The input/output device 800 described in this embodiment includes theinput device 850 including the plurality of sensor units 820U, each ofwhich is provided with the window portions 834 transmitting visiblelight, and the display module 801 including the plurality of pixels 802overlapping with the window portions 834. The coloring layer is includedbetween the window portion 834 and the pixel 802.

With such a structure, the input/output device can supply a sensorsignal based on the change in the capacitance and positional informationof the sensor unit supplying the sensor signal and can display imagedata relating to the positional information of the sensor unit. As aresult, a novel input/output device with high convenience or highreliability can be provided.

The input/output device 800 may include a flexible substrate FPC1 towhich a signal from the input device 850 is supplied and/or a flexiblesubstrate FPC2 supplying a signal including image data to the displaymodule 801.

In addition, a protective base material 837 or a protective layer 837 pthat protects the input/output device 800 by preventing damage and/or ananti-reflective layer 867 p that weakens the intensity of external lightreflected by the input/output device 800 may be included.

Moreover, the input/output device 800 includes a scan line drivercircuit 803 g that supplies the selection signal to a scan line of thedisplay module 801, a wiring 811 supplying a signal, and a terminal 819electrically connected to the flexible substrate FPC2.

Components of the input/output device 800 are described below. Note thatthese components cannot be clearly distinguished and one component alsoserves as another component or includes part of another component insome cases. For example, the input device 850 including the coloringlayer overlapping with the plurality of window portions 834 also servesas a color filter.

The input/output device 800 includes the input device 850 and thedisplay module 801 (see FIG. 30A).

The input device 850 includes the plurality of sensor units 820U and thefirst base material 836 supporting the sensor units 820U. For example,the plurality of sensor units 820U are arranged in matrix with 40 rowsand 15 columns on the first base material 836.

The window portion 834 transmits visible light.

A coloring layer transmitting light of a predetermined color is providedto overlap with the window portion 834. For example, a coloring layerCFB transmitting blue light, a coloring layer CFG transmitting greenlight, and a coloring layer CFR transmitting red light are included (seeFIG. 30B).

Note that, in addition to the coloring layers transmitting blue light,green light, and/or red light, coloring layers transmitting light ofvarious colors such as a coloring layer transmitting white light and acoloring layer transmitting yellow light can be included.

For a coloring layer, a metal material, a pigment, dye, or the like canbe used.

A light-blocking layer BM is provided to surround the window portions834. The light-blocking layer BM does not easily transmit light ascompared to the window portion 834.

For the light-blocking layer BM, carbon black, a metal oxide, acomposite oxide containing a solid solution of a plurality of metaloxides, or the like can be used.

The scan line G1, the signal line DL, a wiring VPI, a wiring RES, awiring VRES, and the sensor circuit 839 are provided to overlap with thelight-blocking layer BM.

Note that a light-transmitting overcoat layer covering the coloringlayer and the light-blocking layer BM can be provided.

The sensor element Ca includes the first electrode 821, the secondelectrode 822, and the insulating layer 823 between the first electrode821 and the second electrode 822 (see FIG. 31).

The first electrode 821 is formed in, for example, an island shape so asto be apart from other regions. A layer that can be formed in the sameprocess as that of the first electrode 821 is preferably placed close tothe first electrode 821 so that the user of the input/output device 800does not recognize the first electrode 821. Further preferably, thenumber of the window portions 834 placed in the gap between the firstelectrode 821 and the layer placed close to the first electrode 821 isreduced as much as possible. In particular, the window portion 834 ispreferably not placed in the gap.

When an object whose dielectric constant is different from that of theair gets closer to the first electrode 821 or the second electrode 822of the sensor element Ca that is put in the air, the capacitance of thesensor element Ca is changed. Specifically, when a finger or the likegets closer to the sensor element Ca, the capacitance of the sensorelement Ca is changed. Thus, the sensor element Ca can be used in aproximity sensor.

The first electrode 821 and the second electrode 822 include aconductive material.

For example, an inorganic conductive material, an organic conductivematerial, a metal material, a conductive ceramic material, or the likecan be used for the first electrode 821 and the second electrode 822.

Specifically, a metal element selected from aluminum, chromium, copper,tantalum, titanium, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel, silver, and manganese;an alloy including any of the above-described metal elements; an alloyincluding any of the above-described metal elements in combination; orthe like can be used for the first electrode 821 and the secondelectrode 822.

Alternatively, a conductive oxide such as indium oxide, indium tinoxide, indium zinc oxide, zinc oxide, or zinc oxide to which gallium isadded can be used for the first electrode 821 and the second electrode822.

Alternatively, graphene or graphite can be used for the first electrode821 and the second electrode 822. The film including graphene can beformed, for example, by reducing a film containing graphene oxide. As areducing method, a method with application of heat, a method using areducing agent, or the like can be employed.

Alternatively, a conductive polymer can be used for the first electrode821 and the second electrode 822.

The sensor circuit 839 includes transistors M1 to M3, for example. Inaddition, the sensor circuit 839 includes wirings supplying a powersupply potential and a signal. For example, the signal line DL, thewiring VPI, a wiring CS, the scan line G1, the wiring RES, and thewiring VRES are included.

Note that the sensor circuit 839 may be placed not to overlap with thewindow portion 834.

A conductive material can be used for the wirings (e.g., the signal lineDL, the wiring VPI, the wiring CS, the scan line G1, the wiring RES, andthe wiring VRES). For example, an inorganic conductive material, anorganic conductive material, a metal material, a conductive ceramicmaterial, or the like can be used for the wirings. Alternatively, amaterial which is the same as those of the first electrode 821 and thesecond electrode 822 may be used.

For the scan line G1, the signal line DL, the wiring VPI, the wiringRES, and the wiring VRES, a metal material such as aluminum, gold,platinum, silver, nickel, titanium, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum,iron, cobalt, copper, or palladium, or an alloy material containing anyof these metal materials can be used.

The sensor circuit 839 may be formed on the first base material 836.Alternatively, the sensor circuit 839 formed on another base materialmay be transmitted to the first base material 836.

Examples of the materials of the first base material 836 and the secondbase material 810 are glass substrates or flexible materials (e.g., aresin, a resin film, and a plastic film).

More specifically, non-alkali glass, soda-lime glass, potash glass,crystal glass, or the like can be used for the first base material 836and the second base material 810. Alternatively, a resin film or resinplate of polyester, polyolefin, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, anacrylic resin, or the like can be used for the first base material 836.

For example, a glass substrate, a resin film or resin plate ofpolyester, polyolefin, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, an acrylicresin, or the like, a stack thereof, or the like can be used as theprotective base material 837 and/or the protective layer 837 p.

For example, a hard coat layer or a ceramic coat layer can be used asthe protective layer 837 p. Specifically, a layer containing a UVcurable resin or aluminum oxide may be formed to overlap with the secondelectrode 822.

The display module 801 includes the plurality of pixels 802 arranged ina matrix (see FIG. 30C).

For example, the pixel 802 includes a sub-pixel 802B, a sub-pixel 802G,and a sub-pixel 802R, and each sub-pixel includes a display element anda pixel circuit for driving the display element.

In the pixel 802, the sub-pixel 802B is placed to overlap with thecoloring layer CFB, the sub-pixel 802G is placed to overlap with thecoloring layer CFG, and the sub-pixel 802R is placed to overlap with thecoloring layer CFR.

The coloring layer CFR is positioned in a region overlapping with theliquid crystal element 880. Note that the liquid crystal element 880includes a reflective electrode 872 as one electrode (see FIG. 31).Thus, part of external light reflected by the reflective electrode 872passes through the coloring layer CFR and is emitted in a directionindicated by an arrow in the drawing. The reflective electrode 872 canhave a structure similar to that of the conductive film 772 serving asthe reflective electrode in the above embodiment. The liquid crystalelement 880 includes a liquid crystal layer having a dielectric constantanisotropy of greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 3.8.

The light-blocking layer BM is provided to surround the coloring layer(e.g., the coloring layer CFR).

The scan line driver circuit 803 g includes a transistor 803 t and acapacitor 803 c (see FIG. 31).

Various circuits that can convert the sensor signal DATA supplied fromthe sensor unit 820U and supply the converted signal to the flexiblesubstrate FPC1 can be used as a converter CONV (see FIG. 30A and FIG.31).

For example, a transistor M4 can be used in the converter CONV.

The display module 801 includes the anti-reflective layer 867 ppositioned in a region overlapping with pixels. As the anti-reflectivelayer 867 p, a circular polarizing plate can be used, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 30A, the display module 801 includes the wirings811 through which signals can be supplied. The wirings 811 are providedwith the terminal 819. Note that the flexible substrate FPC2 throughwhich a signal such as an image signal or a synchronization signal issupplied is electrically connected to the terminal 819.

Note that a printed wiring board (PWB) may be attached to the flexiblesubstrate FPC2.

The display module 801 includes wirings such as scan lines, signallines, and power supply lines. Any of various conductive films can beused as the wirings.

For the wirings included in the display module 801, for example, a metalelement selected from aluminum, chromium, copper, tantalum, titanium,molybdenum, tungsten, nickel, yttrium, zirconium, silver, and manganese;an alloy including any of the above-described metal elements; or analloy including any of the above-described metal elements in combinationcan be used. In particular, one or more elements selected from aluminum,chromium, copper, tantalum, titanium, molybdenum, and tungsten arepreferably included. In particular, an alloy of copper and manganese issuitably used in microfabrication with the use of a wet etching method.

As specific structures of the wirings included in the display module801, a two-layer structure in which a titanium film is stacked over analuminum film, a two-layer structure in which a titanium film is stackedover a titanium nitride film, a two-layer structure in which a tungstenfilm is stacked over a titanium nitride film, a two-layer structure inwhich a tungsten film is stacked over a tantalum nitride film or atungsten nitride film, a three-layer structure in which a titanium film,an aluminum film, and a titanium film are stacked in this order, and thelike can be given. Alternatively, a stacked structure in which an alloyfilm or a nitride film which contains one or more elements selected fromtitanium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, neodymium, andscandium is stacked over an aluminum film can be used. Alternatively, alight-transmitting conductive material including indium oxide, tinoxide, or zinc oxide may be used.

Embodiment 10

In this embodiment, specific examples of electronic devices each ofwhich is manufactured using the liquid crystal display device describedin the above embodiment are described with reference to FIGS. 32A to32C.

Examples of electronic devices to which one embodiment of the presentinvention can be applied include a television set (also referred to as atelevision or a television receiver), a monitor of a computer or thelike, a camera such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, adigital photo frame, a mobile phone, a portable game machine, a portableinformation terminal, a music reproducing device, a game machine (e.g.,a pachinko machine or a slot machine), and a game console. FIGS. 32A to32C illustrate specific examples of these electronic devices.

FIG. 32A illustrates a portable information terminal 1400 including adisplay portion. The portable information terminal 1400 includes adisplay portion 1402 and an operation button 1403 which are incorporatedin a housing 1401. The liquid crystal display device of one embodimentof the present invention can be used for the display portion 1402.

FIG. 32B illustrates a cellular phone 1410. The cellular phone 1410includes a display portion 1412, an operation button 1413, a speaker1414, and a microphone 1415 which are incorporated in a housing 1411.The liquid crystal display device of one embodiment of the presentinvention can be used for the display portion 1412.

FIG. 32C illustrates a music reproducing device 1420. The musicreproducing device 1420 includes a display portion 1422, an operationbutton 1423, and an antenna 1424 which are incorporated in a housing1421. In addition, the antenna 1424 transmits and receives data via awireless signal. The liquid crystal display device of one embodiment ofthe present invention can be used for the display portion 1422.

The display portions 1402, 1412, and 1422 each have a touch-inputfunction. When a user touches a displayed button (not illustrated) whichis displayed on the display portion 1402, 1412, or 1422 with his/herfingers or the like, the user can carry out operation on the screen andinput of information.

When the liquid crystal display device described in the above embodimentis used for the display portions 1402, 1412, and 1422, the displayquality of the display portions 1402, 1412, and 1422 can be improved.

Supplementary Notes on the Description in this Specification and theLike

The following are notes on the description of the above embodiments andstructures in the embodiments.

Notes on One Embodiment of the Present Invention Described inEmbodiments

One embodiment of the present invention can be constituted byappropriately combining the structure described in an embodiment withany of the structures described the other embodiments. In addition, inthe case where a plurality of structure examples are described in oneembodiment, some of the structure examples can be combined asappropriate.

Note that a content (or may be part of the content) described in oneembodiment may be applied to, combined with, or replaced by a differentcontent (or may be part of the different content) described in theembodiment and/or a content (or may be part of the content) described inone or a plurality of different embodiments.

Note that in each embodiment, a content described in the embodiment is acontent described with reference to a variety of diagrams or a contentdescribed with a text described in this specification.

Note that by combining a diagram (or may be part of the diagram)illustrated in one embodiment with another part of the diagram, adifferent diagram (or may be part of the different diagram) illustratedin the embodiment, and/or a diagram (or may be part of the diagram)illustrated in one or a plurality of different embodiments, much morediagrams can be formed.

In each Embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed; however, one embodiment of the present invention is notlimited to the described embodiment. For example, although the structurefor changing the scan direction by switching between two operations,i.e., the first operation and the second operation, has been describedas one embodiment of the present invention in each of Embodiments 1 and2, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to thatstructure. Depending on the conditions, a structure in which the scandirection is fixed to one direction may be employed, for example.Moreover, for example, although an example of using the circuit 100 in ashift register has been described as one embodiment of the presentinvention in Embodiment 4, one embodiment of the present invention isnot limited to that example. For example, the circuit 100 can be used ina variety of circuits depending on the conditions, to form oneembodiment of the present invention.

Notes on the Description for Drawings

In this specification and the like, terms for explaining arrangement,such as “over” and “under”, are used for convenience to describe thepositional relation between components with reference to drawings.Furthermore, the positional relation between components is changed asappropriate in accordance with a direction in which the components aredescribed. Therefore, the terms for explaining arrangement are notlimited to those used in this specification and may be changed to otherterms as appropriate depending on the situation.

The term “over” or “below” does not necessarily mean that a component isplaced directly on or directly below and directly in contact withanother component. For example, the expression “electrode B overinsulating layer A” does not necessarily mean that the electrode B is onand in direct contact with the insulating layer A and can mean the casewhere another component is provided between the insulating layer A andthe electrode B.

Furthermore, in a block diagram in this specification and the like,components are functionally classified and shown by blocks that areindependent from each other. However, in an actual circuit and the like,such components are sometimes hard to classify functionally, and thereis a case in which one circuit is concerned with a plurality offunctions or a case in which a plurality of circuits are concerned withone function. Therefore, blocks in a block diagram do not necessarilyshow components described in the specification.

In drawings, the size, the layer thickness, or the region is determinedarbitrarily for description convenience. Therefore, the size, the layerthickness, or the region is not limited to the illustrated scale. Notethat the drawings are schematically shown for clarity, and embodimentsof the present invention are not limited to shapes or values shown inthe drawings. For example, the following can be included: variation insignal, voltage, or current due to noise or difference in timing.

In drawings such as plan views (also referred to as layout views) andperspective views, some of components might not be illustrated forclarity of the drawings.

Notes on Expressions that can be Rephrased

In this specification or the like, in describing connections of atransistor, one of a source and a drain is referred to as “one of asource and a drain” (or a first electrode or a first terminal), and theother of the source and the drain is referred to as “the other of thesource and the drain” (or a second electrode or a second terminal). Thisis because a source and a drain of a transistor are interchangeabledepending on the structure, operation conditions, or the like of thetransistor. Note that the source or the drain of the transistor can alsobe referred to as a source (or drain) terminal, a source (or drain)electrode, or the like as appropriate depending on the situation.

In addition, in this specification and the like, the term such as an“electrode” or a “wiring” does not limit a function of the component.For example, an “electrode” is used as part of a “wiring” in some cases,and vice versa. Further, the term “electrode” or “wiring” can also meana combination of a plurality of “electrodes” and “wirings” formed in anintegrated manner.

In this specification and the like, “voltage” and “potential” can bereplaced with each other. The term “voltage” refers to a potentialdifference from a reference potential. When the reference potential is aground potential, for example, “voltage” can be replaced with“potential.” The ground potential does not necessarily mean 0 V.Potentials are relative values, and the potential applied to a wiring orthe like is changed depending on the reference potential, in some cases.

In this specification and the like, the terms “film” and “layer” can beinterchanged with each other depending on the case or circumstances. Forexample, the term “conductive layer” can be changed into the term“conductive film” in some cases. Also, the term “insulating film” can bechanged into the term “insulating layer” in some cases.

NOTES ON DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

The following are definitions of the terms mentioned in the aboveembodiments.

<<Switch>>

In this specification and the like, a switch is conducting (on state) ornot conducting (off state) to determine whether current flowstherethrough or not. Alternatively, a switch has a function of selectingand changing a current path.

Examples of a switch are an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, andthe like. That is, any element can be used as a switch as long as it cancontrol current, without limitation to a certain element.

Examples of the electrical switch are a transistor (e.g., a bipolartransistor or a MOS transistor), a diode (e.g., a PN diode, a PIN diode,a Schottky diode, a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diode, ametal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diode, or a diode-connectedtransistor), and a logic circuit in which such elements are combined.

In the case of using a transistor as a switch, an “on state” of thetransistor refers to a state in which a source and a drain of thetransistor are electrically short-circuited. Furthermore, an “off state”of the transistor refers to a state in which the source and the drain ofthe transistor are electrically disconnected. In the case where atransistor operates just as a switch, the polarity (conductivity type)of the transistor is not particularly limited to a certain type.

An example of a mechanical switch is a switch formed using a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) technology, such as a digitalmicromirror device (DMD). Such a switch includes an electrode which canbe moved mechanically, and operates by controlling conduction andnon-conduction in accordance with movement of the electrode.

<<Channel Length>>

In this specification and the like, the channel length refers to, forexample, a distance between a source and a drain in a region where asemiconductor (or a portion where a current flows in a semiconductorwhen a transistor is on) and a gate overlap with each other or a regionwhere a channel is formed in a plan view of the transistor.

In one transistor, channel lengths in all regions are not necessarilythe same. In other words, the channel length of one transistor is notfixed to one value in some cases. Therefore, in this specification, thechannel length is any one of values, the maximum value, the minimumvalue, or the average value in a region where a channel is formed.

<<Channel Width>>

In this specification and the like, the channel width refers to, forexample, the length of a portion where a source and a drain face eachother in a region where a semiconductor (or a portion where a currentflows in a semiconductor when a transistor is on) and a gate electrodeoverlap with each other, or a region where a channel is formed in a planview of the transistor.

In one transistor, channel widths in all regions are not necessarily thesame. In other words, the channel width of one transistor is not fixedto one value in some cases. Therefore, in this specification, thechannel width is any one of values, the maximum value, the minimumvalue, or the average value in a region where a channel is formed.

Note that depending on transistor structures, a channel width in aregion where a channel is formed actually (hereinafter referred to as aneffective channel width) is different from a channel width shown in aplan view of the transistor (hereinafter referred to as an apparentchannel width) in some cases. For example, in a transistor having athree-dimensional structure, an effective channel width is greater thanan apparent channel width shown in a plan view of the transistor, andits influence cannot be ignored in some cases. For example, in aminiaturized transistor having a three-dimensional structure, theproportion of a channel region formed in a side surface of asemiconductor is higher than the proportion of a channel region formedin a top surface of a semiconductor in some cases. In that case, aneffective channel width obtained when a channel is actually formed isgreater than an apparent channel width shown in the plan view.

In a transistor having a three-dimensional structure, an effectivechannel width is difficult to measure in some cases. For example, toestimate an effective channel width from a design value, it is necessaryto assume that the shape of a semiconductor is known as an assumptioncondition. Therefore, in the case where the shape of a semiconductor isnot known accurately, it is difficult to measure an effective channelwidth accurately.

Therefore, in this specification, in a plan view of a transistor, anapparent channel width that is a length of a portion where a source anda drain face each other in a region where a semiconductor and a gateelectrode overlap with each other is referred to as a surrounded channelwidth (SCW) in some cases. Further, in this specification, in the casewhere the term “channel width” is simply used, it may represent asurrounded channel width or an apparent channel width. Alternatively, inthis specification, in the case where the term “channel width” is simplyused, it may represent an effective channel width in some cases. Notethat the values of a channel length, a channel width, an effectivechannel width, an apparent channel width, a surrounded channel width,and the like can be determined by obtaining and analyzing across-sectional TEM image and the like.

Note that in the case where field-effect mobility, a current value perchannel width, and the like of a transistor are obtained by calculation,a surrounded channel width may be used for the calculation. In thatcase, a value different from one in the case where an effective channelwidth is used for the calculation is obtained in some cases.

<<Pixel>>

In this specification and the like, one pixel refers to one elementwhose brightness can be controlled, for example. Therefore, for example,one pixel expresses one color element by which brightness is expressed.Accordingly, in the case of a color display device formed of colorelements of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), the smallest unit of animage is formed of three pixels of an R pixel, a G pixel, and a B pixel.

Note that the number of color elements is not limited to three, and morecolor elements may be used. For example, RGBW (W: white), RGB added withyellow, cyan, or magenta, and the like may be employed.

<<Connection>>

In this specification and the like, when it is described that “A and Bare connected to each other”, the case where A and B are electricallyconnected to each other is included in addition to the case where A andB are directly connected to each other. Here, the expression “A and Bare electrically connected” means the case where electric signals can betransmitted and received between A and B when an object having anyelectric action exists between A and B.

Note that, for example, the case where a source (or a first terminal orthe like) of a transistor is electrically connected to X through (or notthrough) Z1 and a drain (or a second terminal or the like) of thetransistor is electrically connected to Y through (or not through) Z2,or the case where a source (or a first terminal or the like) of atransistor is directly connected to one part of Z1 and another part ofZ1 is directly connected to X while a drain (or a second terminal or thelike) of the transistor is directly connected to one part of Z2 andanother part of Z2 is directly connected to Y, can be expressed by usingany of the following expressions.

Examples of the expressions include, “X, Y, a source (or a firstterminal or the like) of a transistor, and a drain (or a second terminalor the like) of the transistor are electrically connected to each other,and X, the source (or the first terminal or the like) of the transistor,the drain (or the second terminal or the like) of the transistor, and Yare electrically connected to each other in this order”, “a source (or afirst terminal or the like) of a transistor is electrically connected toX, a drain (or a second terminal or the like) of the transistor iselectrically connected to Y, and X, the source (or the first terminal orthe like) of the transistor, the drain (or the second terminal or thelike) of the transistor, and Y are electrically connected to each otherin this order”, and “X is electrically connected to Y through a source(or a first terminal or the like) and a drain (or a second terminal orthe like) of a transistor, and X, the source (or the first terminal orthe like) of the transistor, the drain (or the second terminal or thelike) of the transistor, and Y are provided to be connected in thisorder”. When the connection order in a circuit configuration is definedby an expression similar to the above examples, a source (or a firstterminal or the like) and a drain (or a second terminal or the like) ofa transistor can be distinguished from each other to specify thetechnical scope.

Other examples of the expressions include, “a source (or a firstterminal or the like) of a transistor is electrically connected to Xthrough at least a first connection path, the first connection path doesnot include a second connection path, the second connection path is apath between the source (or the first terminal or the like) of thetransistor and a drain (or a second terminal or the like) of thetransistor, Z1 is on the first connection path, the drain (or the secondterminal or the like) of the transistor is electrically connected to Ythrough at least a third connection path, the third connection path doesnot include the second connection path, and Z2 is on the thirdconnection path” and “a source (or a first terminal or the like) of atransistor is electrically connected to X at least with a firstconnection path through Z1, the first connection path does not include asecond connection path, the second connection path includes a connectionpath through which the transistor is provided, a drain (or a secondterminal or the like) of the transistor is electrically connected to Yat least with a third connection path through Z2, and the thirdconnection path does not include the second connection path.” Stillanother example of the expression is “a source (or a first terminal orthe like) of a transistor is electrically connected to X through atleast Z1 on a first electrical path, the first electrical path does notinclude a second electrical path, the second electrical path is anelectrical path from the source (or the first terminal or the like) ofthe transistor to a drain (or a second terminal or the like) of thetransistor, the drain (or the second terminal or the like) of thetransistor is electrically connected to Y through at least Z2 on a thirdelectrical path, the third electrical path does not include a fourthelectrical path, and the fourth electrical path is an electrical pathfrom the drain (or the second terminal or the like) of the transistor tothe source (or the first terminal or the like) of the transistor”. Whenthe connection path in a circuit configuration is defined by anexpression similar to the above examples, a source (or a first terminalor the like) and a drain (or a second terminal or the like) of atransistor can be distinguished from each other to specify the technicalscope.

Note that these expressions are examples and there is no limitation onthe expressions. Here, X, Y, Z1, and Z2 each denote an object (e.g., adevice, an element, a circuit, a wiring, an electrode, a terminal, aconductive film, and a layer).

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial no.2014-178698 filed with Japan Patent Office on Sep. 3, 2014, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a firsttransistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourthtransistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a seventhtransistor, an eighth transistor, and a ninth transistor, wherein one ofa source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connectedto a first wiring, wherein the other of the source and the drain of thefirst transistor and one of a source and a drain of the secondtransistor are electrically connected to a second wiring, wherein theother of the source and the drain of the second transistor, one of asource and a drain of the third transistor, and one of a source and adrain of the fifth transistor are electrically connected to a thirdwiring, wherein the other of the source and the drain of the thirdtransistor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor,wherein one of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor iselectrically connected to a fourth wiring, wherein the other of thesource and the drain of the fourth transistor and the other of thesource and the drain of the fifth transistor are electrically connectedto at least one of a gate of the second transistor and a gate of thethird transistor, wherein one of a source and a drain of the sixthtransistor and one of a source and a drain of the eighth transistor areelectrically connected to a fifth wiring, wherein a gate of the sixthtransistor is electrically connected to a sixth wiring, wherein one of asource and a drain of the seventh transistor and one of a source and adrain of the ninth transistor are electrically connected to a seventhwiring, wherein a gate of the seventh transistor is electricallyconnected to an eighth wiring, wherein a gate of the eighth transistoris electrically connected to a ninth wiring, wherein a gate of the ninthtransistor is electrically connected to a tenth wiring, wherein theother of the source and the drain of the sixth transistor and the otherof the source and the drain of the seventh transistor are electricallyconnected to a gate of the fourth transistor, and wherein the other ofthe source and the drain of the eighth transistor and the other of thesource and the drain of the ninth transistor are electrically connectedto the gate of the first transistor.
 2. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the fifth wiring is configured to transmitone of a first potential and a second potential in a first operation andthe other of the first potential and the second potential in a secondoperation, and wherein the seventh wiring is configured to transmit theother of the first potential and the second potential in the firstoperation and the one of the first potential and the second potential inthe second operation.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2,wherein the fourth wiring is configured to transmit the first potential,and wherein the third wiring is configured to transmit the secondpotential.
 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst wiring is configured to transmit a first clock signal, wherein thesixth wiring is configured to transmit a second clock signal, andwherein the eighth wiring is configured to transmit a third clocksignal.
 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond wiring is configured to transmit an output signal, wherein thetenth wiring is configured to transmit a signal output from a previousstage circuit, and wherein the ninth wiring is configured to transmit asignal output from a next stage circuit.
 6. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a W/L of the first transistor, where W isa channel width and L is a channel length, is higher than W/Ls of thesecond to ninth transistors.
 7. The semiconductor device according toclaim 1, wherein a W/L of the sixth transistor, where W is a channelwidth and L is a channel length, is 0.8 times to 1.2 times a W/L of theseventh transistor.
 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 1,wherein a W/L of the eighth transistor, where W is a channel width and Lis a channel length, is 0.8 times to 1.2 times a W/L of the ninthtransistor.
 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, whereinthe first to ninth transistors have the same polarity.
 10. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a channel formationregion of each of the first to ninth transistors comprises an oxidesemiconductor.
 11. The semiconductor device according to claim 1,further comprising a first capacitor, wherein one electrode of the firstcapacitor is electrically connected to the other of the source and thedrain of the first transistor, and wherein the other electrode of thefirst capacitor is electrically connected to the gate of the firsttransistor.
 12. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a second capacitor, wherein one electrode of the secondcapacitor is electrically connected to the other of the source and thedrain of the fourth transistor, and wherein the other electrode of thesecond capacitor is electrically connected to the gate of the fourthtransistor.
 13. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a tenth transistor, wherein one of a source and a drain ofthe tenth transistor is electrically connected to the gate of the firsttransistor, and wherein the other of the source and the drain of thetenth transistor is electrically connected to the other of the sourceand the drain of the third transistor.
 14. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising an eleventh transistor, whereinone of a source and a drain of the eleventh transistor is electricallyconnected to the third wiring, wherein the other of the source and thedrain of the eleventh transistor is electrically connected to the otherof the source and the drain of the fifth transistor, and wherein a gateof the eleventh transistor is electrically connected to the firstwiring.
 15. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a twelfth transistor, wherein one of a source and a drain ofthe twelfth transistor is electrically connected to the gate of thefourth transistor, wherein the other of the source and the drain of thetwelfth transistor is electrically connected to the second wiring, andwherein a gate of the twelfth transistor is electrically connected tothe first wiring.
 16. The semiconductor device according to claim 1,wherein the other of the source and the drain of the fourth transistorand the other of the source and the drain of the fifth transistor areelectrically connected to one of the gate of the second transistor andthe gate of the third transistor, and wherein the other of the gate ofthe second transistor and the gate of the third transistor iselectrically connected to an eleventh wiring.
 17. The semiconductordevice according to claim 1, wherein each of the first, fourth, sixth,and eighth transistors comprises a back gate.
 18. The semiconductordevice according to claim 1, wherein each of the first to ninthtransistors comprises a back gate.
 19. A display module comprising: thesemiconductor device according to claim 1; and an FPC.
 20. An electronicdevice comprising: the display module according to claim 19; and aspeaker, an operation button, and/or an antenna.